In 2025, the J/70 Class took another bold step forward with the introduction of its third World Championship title: the J/70 Mixed Plus World Championship.
Following the launch of the Corinthian World Championships in 2023, the Mixed Plus Worlds represent a further evolution of the class. Designed not just to create another championship, but to actively reshape who gets to compete, and how teams come together.
The Mixed Plus rule is simple: no more than two male adults over the age of 18 are permitted on board. This allows for a wide variety of team compositions and actively encourages greater participation from women and younger sailors.
For its inaugural edition, the Mixed Plus Worlds could not have chosen a more fitting stage than Lake Garda, hosted by Circolo Vela Torbole.
Garda delivered in full. Across the championship week, sailors were treated to classic conditions, with a warm and reliable Ora breeze building to 15–20 knots, allowing the race committee to deliver a complete and high-quality racing schedule. Flat water, consistent pressure, and stunning scenery combined to create a world-class arena for this landmark event.
A Truly Global Fleet
Forty-seven teams from 17 nations gathered for the inaugural Mixed Plus Worlds, attracting not only some of the top names in the global J/70 scene but also over 25 former Olympic athletes, alongside a record-breaking female presence, with more than 125 women competing.
Among the standout names in attendance were Giulia Conti, skipper of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Rob Greenhalgh, 470 duo Anton Dahlberg and Lovisa Karlsson, and sailing legend Torben Grael, racing alongside his daughter Martine Grael and her teammate Kahena Kunze, to name just a few.
UK Teams on the World Stage
The UK was well represented, with four GBR teams competing: Brutus, DSP, Offbeat, and Kidzink.
Former World Champions Brutus, led by Charlie Thompson, put together a strong team that included Saskia Clark, with Sophie Weguelin on the helm.
New to the J/70 class, Charlotte Borghesi’s team Kidzink, sailing with her daughter onboard alongside close friend and Olympic gold medallist Pippa Kenton-Page, truly embodied the Mixed Plus spirit.
DSP returned with Doug Struth and Marshall King, while another family team saw David McLemon racing alongside his son Alex McLemon- one of the early adopters of the Mixed Plus format in the UK and a true veteran of the J/70 UK class.
A standout performance came from DSP, who were crowned Corinthian Mixed Plus World Champions.
Speaking after the event, helm Marshall King said:
“What a great event at Torbole this past week. Such a great atmosphere with the mixed plus rule (only two males over 18 on board). Fun ashore and afloat. Chieko Sato thanks for sailing with me and also getting the crew party started! Doug, Marion, Emma you sailed brilliantly. Guys you know what to do- get your team for next year’s worlds in Copenhagen. This is going to be a big format in future.”
Making history as the first ever J/70 Mixed Plus World Champions was Spanish team Yupi, helmed by Joan Cardona Méndez, Olympic bronze medallist in the Finn class at Tokyo 2020.
More Than Just Racing
Reflecting on the event, Vittorio Di Mauro, past President of the J/70 International Class and the driving force behind the creation of this championship, summed up the vision behind it:
“The new Mixed-Plus World Championship seeks to promote yet another dimension of J/70 sailing by providing our community with a new exciting opportunity for international racing and another great sailing experience. As a truly global one-design keelboat Class, we aim to provide sailing opportunities for all demographics, budgets, and abilities. From regular weekend club racing to an unprecedented three J/70 World Championships per year, on alternating continents, where you can meet and compete with some of the best keelboat sailors in the world… only the J/70 can do it on a global basis.”
Having sailed in the J/70 class and regularly attended international events since 2019, I found this championship unlike anything I have experienced in the class, and one of the most enjoyable J/70 events to date.
In a class where major international events have traditionally been dominated by male participation and the dynamics this can create for female sailors, the Mixed Plus Worlds delivered a completely different and genuinely refreshing atmosphere. No longer being the minority, but instead sailing in a fleet closer to a 50:50 split, combined with a noticeably more supportive dynamic among the men in attendance, made the difference palpable. Both on and off the water, it felt open, progressive, and inclusive, without compromising the quality or intensity of the racing.
The J/70 Class is onto something epic. No other class is building community, championing equality, and evolving the sport — all while delivering world-class racing — quite like this.
Looking Ahead
The J/70 Mixed Plus World Championships will be held in Denmark in 2026, hosted by the Royal Danish Yacht Club.
Full results from the 2025 Mixed Plus Worlds can be found here
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