After ten races over five days, shifting tides and reshuffled leaderboards, the 2025 J/70 World Championship came to a dramatic close at Yacht Club Argentino. Laura Grondin and her team Dark Energy (USA) made history, becoming the first helmswoman to win it.
Family values prevailed in the Corinthian division; Andrés Ducasse’s Ducasse Sailing Team (CHI) claimed top Corinthian honors in a heartfelt finish that brought the crowd to its feet for a father, four sons onboard, and a son coaching.
The outcome was decided in the final moments of the final race, but it took years to build to this moment. “It’s been a five-year run,” said Grondin. “None of this happens by yourself. It takes a team. What makes us world champion? The ability to be resilient. We have stood on a lot of podiums, but being first is different. It just is.”
The J/70 World Champion title is one of the most coveted in sailing — and now it belongs to Grondin and her team of tactician Taylor Canfield, back-to-back champion Ted Hackney, Ian Liberty, coach Robby Bisi, and husband Rick Grondin.
For the first time in Class history, the J/70 World Championship was held in South America. South American teams earned four out of the top five positions and swept the Corinthian top five.
“As the father of these kids, I’m grateful to God, grateful to sailing, and grateful for having taught my children and watched them become such excellent sailors. Above all, I thank my sons for the opportunity to compete by their side,” said Corinthian champion Ducasse. “We’ve done five Worlds and many South American championships, and this one has been the best organized of them all.”
“I’m so stoked to be the first female driver to win this, and I want there to be many more,” Grondin added. “I hope this is just the beginning. There were five helmswomen at this event, which is remarkable—but we need to have more. To all the women who competed on any boat: my shout-out to you. Keep going.
A testament to the deep level of competition, a different team won each race. There were no repeat winners. Olympic medalists, past J/70 World Champions, America’s Cup legends, SailGP athletes, TP52 champions, and a stacked field of Corinthian talent made up the deep fleet of 71 teams from 16 countries. Qualified teams are here from Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, China, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay, and the United States.
“I’m here to win,” Grondin told the Class earlier this week. “Someone once asked me if it’s my goal to beat the other women. I said, ‘I’m out to beat everybody.’ That’s what it is.”
Ten races in a wide variety of conditions and challenging river current were held on the shallow Río de la Plata, the widest river in the world. The 2025 edition ran October 28 to November 1 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, hosted by Yacht Club Argentino, one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the Southern Hemisphere.
Overall Top 3
- 1. Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy USA
- 2. Guillermo Parada’s Nildo ARG
- 3. Bruno Bethlem’s Aretê BRA
Corinthian Top 3
- 1. Andrés Ducasse’s Ducasse Sailing Team CHI
- 2. Dennis Bariani Koch’s Gabriela BRA
- 3. Maximo Videla’s Whisky ARG
Woman Helm: Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy USA
One-Pro: Ezequiel Despontin’s 707 ARG
Young Crew: Bruno Centanaro’s Pura Joda URG
Mixed-Plus: Laura & Leif Sigmond’s Norboy USA
