Stronger westerlies returned to Castor Bay today, giving both fleets the first chance this week to stretch out in proper pressure. With the Classics already five races deep and the Open fleet three races down, today’s action opened a fresh chapter in the championship.
Roger Mills, Boating New Zealand’s wonderful videographer passed the comment, “Lots of wind today but filming conditions were trickier – course was further out, hazy and then rain obscured the finish. Have to wait to see the official results, but it was good to see a Kiwi first around the first mark!”
PredictWind A-Class Worlds 2025: Parent and Noetzel rise as Auckland delivers a wild opening test
Open Fleet: Surowiec hits back as Parent’s run tightens
With three races down, the Open fleet continued today with another three races.
Race 4 for the Open division arrived with 11–12 knots building toward 17 across the course, a shifty breeze that punished anyone even slightly out of phase. Kuba Surowiec (POL 41) wasted no time showing intent. After posting a 6-2-3 card yesterday, the dual world champion unleashed a flawless run of 1-1-1, lifting himself past Ravi Parent (USA 76) and into the overall lead.
Australia’s Adam Beattie (AUS 14) also came alive in the stronger pressure. His pace forced Darren Bundock (AUS 88) into fourth with 16 nett points, moving Beattie into third overall, tucked in behind Surowiec and Parent.
The top Kiwi, Dave Shaw (NZL 270), couldn’t repeat Wednesday’s magic. A testing day in the uneven breeze left him with 7-7-8, placing him seventh on the table heading into tomorrow’s racing.
Classic Fleet: The streak ends as the fleet fires back
With five races already complete, the Classics started today with Jacek Noetzel (POL 1) unbeaten — and he kept the streak alive. Noetzel remains a class apart, extending his lead and staying well clear of the chasing pack.
By day’s end a nine-point buffer had opened between Noetzel and Australia’s Jamie Jochhiem, with another four points back to third-placed Andrew Landenberger. Kiwi Mike Drummond holds fourth on 40 points, some distance behind the leading trio.
The gaps are widening fast, and closing them now will take a major shift in conditions or a rare mistake from the Polish frontrunner.
Tomorrow brings another day of racing.
