Frank Whelan's Ker 43 El Syd has been confirmed as the overall IRC winner of the 2026 Irish Cruiser Racing Association National Championships after ICRA published its official review of this month's Cork Week regatta. Galway Bay Sailing Club's Out of the Blue, skippered by Fergal Lyons, emerged as the championship's top-performing boat under the ECHO handicap system.

The national cruiser-racer association has praised Royal Cork Yacht Club for hosting this year's National Championships alongside Cork Week from 6 to 10 July, describing a 'fantastic' regatta that attracted a large and diverse fleet across eight classes with strong competition in IRC, ECHO, Coastal and Non-Spinnaker racing. Boats travelled from all four provinces of Ireland, as well as overseas, to compete for national honours in a week of closely fought racing, varied wind strengths and sunshine throughout the championship.

ICRA also commended the Race Officers and their teams for delivering a full racing programme despite occasional light breezes and a summer fog bank that delayed the fleet ashore on one morning. Royal Cork Yacht Club was praised for its facilities, race management and shoreside hospitality, with plenty of entertainment after racing for competitors and visitors alike.

ECHO Excellence: Galway Bay Sailing Club's Out of the Blue, skippered by Fergal Lyons, on her way to becoming the top-performing boat under the ECHO handicap system at the 2026 ICRA National Championships. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Among the championship winners were El Syd, Out of the Blue, The Big Picture, Chimaera, Joker II, Swuzzlebubble, Symmetry, Hellaby Puffin, Tuco, Big Mac, White Pearl, Shillelagh and Boekanier.

Frank Whelan and his Greystones Sailing Club crew won the Coastal 1 division aboard the Ker 43 El Syd to secure the ICRA Overall Trophy under IRC.

Reflecting on the championship, Whelan said he was delighted with both the event and the standard of racing.

"I was really happy with the event, very well organised between RCYC and ICRA, and great competition in fabulous surroundings with the added bonus of wind every day and glorious sunshine. It rarely comes better than this," he said.

Whelan also paid tribute to his crew and shore team.

"I'd also like to give kudos to our boat team onboard for the event and those who helped us in the run-up but couldn't make it. As all competitors know, each year it's a little harder to have a consistent team together as there are so many competing things in our busy lives outside sailing, so thanks to the team for getting El Syd to this point, and also to all the competitors for making it such an enjoyable event."

The best-performing boat under the ECHO handicap system was Out of the Blue, sailed by Fergal Lyons and his Galway Bay Sailing Club crew, who produced an outstanding series in Coastal 2 ECHO.

ICRA concluded by congratulating Royal Cork Yacht Club, its staff and volunteers for staging the championship, and thanked the event sponsors for their support in ensuring its success. Full results and daily race reports remain available on the Cork Week website.

The association also confirmed that the Royal St George Yacht Club will host the 2027 ICRA National Championships in Dún Laoghaire, with dates to be confirmed.