A 15–20-knot southwesterly provided a fitting finale to Bangor Regatta 2026 as several championships went down to the final race on Belfast Lough.
The four-day Royal Ulster Yacht Club regatta concluded on Sunday after a varied programme of windward-leeward and coastal racing, incorporating the Sigma 33 Class Championship and the Feedwell Impala Championship.
The closest contest came in IRC Class 1, where Pat Kelly's Storm and John Minnis' Final Call II finished level on 18.5 points after ten races.
Storm secured the title on countback thanks to four race wins despite being unable to start the final race after suffering spreader damage. Final Call II claimed second overall, while Michael Browne's Victric 3 completed the podium on 34 points.
Storm pitman Ronan Kelly said the result reflected a hard-fought contest throughout the weekend.
"Great well fought battle with Final Call over the last four days, finishing on equal points just to pip it on overall wins. Big thank you to the race committee and the Royal Ulster Yacht Club for a fantastic event."
Fast Finish — Gareth Flannigan helms John Minnis' Archambault A35 Final Call II during the final day of Bangor Regatta. Two race wins left the crew level on points with Storm before narrowly losing the IRC Class 1 title on countback. Photo: Con Murphy
Final Call owner John Minnis was equally gracious after another close duel between the rivals.
"Two bullets on the last day left us both on equal points but a deserved win on countback to the boys from Rush. Well done Storm and a big thank you to all the Final Call crew. We achieved a new top boat speed yesterday of 17 knots. Super event in Bangor. Thank you to all the organisers and the team at BR36 and RUYC."
In the accompanying YTC Class 1 series, Peter Holden's Going to Red took overall honours ahead of Des Balmforth's Tangaroa, with Sam Dryden's Infinite Improbability third.
Class 2 produced another consistent winner as Stuart Cranston's Quarter Tonner Purple Haze topped both the IRC and YTC standings. Martin Mahon's Snoopy's J finished second, with James Waugh's Hellaby Puffin third.
Double Success — Stuart Cranston's Quarter Tonner Purple Haze (right) went on to win both the IRC and YTC Class 2 titles at Bangor Regatta. Photo: Con Murphy
The Sigma 33 Irish Championship also went to countback after James Miller's Mayrise and Sam Bourne's White Lightning finished level on 23 points. Two victories on the final day proved decisive as Mayrise secured the championship, with Paul Prentice's Squawk completing the top three.
Sigma Showdown — The Sigma 33 championship fleet battles for position on Belfast Lough during the final day of Bangor Regatta, where James Miller's Mayrise claimed the title on countback. Photo: Con Murphy
Miller praised both the racing and the event.
"We have had an absolutely brilliant time in Bangor. The sailing courses were brilliant. It was a tight battle against our favourite competitors and we're delighted to come away with the championship."
The Coastal IRC title went to Shaun Douglas' Game Changer, with Evenstar second and Blacksmith third. Game Changer also topped the Coastal YTC standings ahead of Blacksmith and Pippa VI.
The Coastal YTC Restricted Sail fleet, was won by Johnnie Phillips' Playtime, followed by David Greer's Vivid and MerryJack.
Johnnie Phillips' Playtime won the Coastal YTC Restricted Sail fleet during Bangor Regatta after four races on Belfast Lough. Photo: Con Murphy
Among those enjoying the weekend was Clyde Cruising Club Vice Commodore Lizzie Balmforth, who raced with her family aboard Tangaroa.
"A fantastic weekend racing. Thank you to the race officer and all the organisers. We enjoyed the mix of windward-leeward racing and the coastal race on Saturday in gusts close to 40 knots, which showcased the experience of all the competitors. We look forward to continuing to bring sailors together across the clubs for these race weekends."
The four-day regatta attracted strong fleets from across Ireland and Scotland and once again demonstrated Bangor's reputation for delivering close championship racing on Belfast Lough.
Race Management — Race Officer Con Murphy oversees the final day's racing from the committee boat as Bangor Regatta 2026 concluded on Belfast Lough. Four days of windward-leeward and coastal racing produced closely fought championships, with two major titles decided on countback
