2025 Season Champions, Pt. II — January Edition
January means time for everyone to swear that they’re actually going to be better about going to the gym this year, time to get some skiing in (if the Sierra actually gets any snow) — and the second installation of the Latitude 38 2025 season-champs feature.
After highlighting 10 one-design classes in the December issue, we have many more in this edition. The January issue covers everything from dinghies such as the El Toro and Mercury classes, up to long-standing keel classes such as the Express 37 and Moore 24.
Moore 24 Roadmaster Series — Firefly, Joel Turmel, RYC
The Moore 24 is one of the legendary one-design racing boats of the West Coast, and this season’s champion in the fleet was Richmond Yacht Club’s Joel Turmel and team aboard Firefly.
“The 2025 Moore 24 Roadmaster Series was certainly a challenging one, with up to 16 events covering the majority of the West Coast, from Long Beach, CA, to Hood River, OR,” Turmel tells Latitude. “Firefly has been campaigning with the same crew, who are Chris Weis, Rob Dubuc, and Noah Barrengos, for the last three years. My mates are very talented sailors and great friends, which is certainly needed to compete against a fleet with such high-caliber competition. Of course, others sit in from time to time, which is always appreciated!
“I cannot say enough about the Moore fleet in general; the family-type atmosphere along with the extremely talented competition is the part I enjoy the most,” Turmel continues. “Firefly looks forward to next season’s campaign, which is a milestone for the Moore 24 fleet. It is our 50th-year anniversary, and the Nationals will be held in Santa Cruz, the birthplace of the Moore 24! We are expecting at least 50 boats to compete for the 50th! The regatta will be one for the ages.”
Next up in this feature: Olson 25, Wylie Wabbit, International 110, Mercury Travel Trophy, Express 37, Express 27, Tahoe Cup, and El Toro. Read here.
Our last installment of the season-champs feature will be in the February issue, primarily highlighting YRA and SSS season champions. However, if your one-design fleet or club perpetual trophy hasn’t made it, please reach out by emailing me at [email protected].