Wicklow Sailing Club is inviting Class40 teams back to Irish waters for the 2026 Round Ireland Yacht Race, which starts on Saturday, 20 June.
Race organisers say they are keen to see a strong turnout from the high-performance offshore class, which has previously left a lasting impression on the event.
As regular Afloat readers know, County Wicklow sailor Pam Lee is actively involved with the class, hitting the top ten in 2025. The Round Ireland is slated as a class fixture for 2026.
In 2018, French Class40 Corum, a Mach 40 design, turned heads with a powerful departure from Wicklow under full canvas. The boat was among the most eye-catching in the fleet, drawing admiration from seasoned observers and spectators alike.
That performance helped cement the class's reputation on Irish shores. "Corum looked every inch the serious contender," reported Afloat.ie, noting her dynamic start and design pedigree.
By 2022, the Round Ireland Race had earned a slot on the official Class40 calendar, helping to attract international interest. The race’s 704-nautical mile course around Ireland offered an ideal test for short-handed and fully crewed Class40 campaigns.
Race director Kyran O’Grady has worked to maintain that momentum, promoting the race at key international gatherings and encouraging offshore entries from Europe and beyond.
“The Round Ireland is an iconic challenge that suits the Class40 ethos,” O’Grady previously told Afloat.ie, as the club sought to grow the race’s global profile.
The Notice of Race confirms a dedicated Class40 division for 2026, with all entrants required to comply with the latest class rules. A minimum of four entries will be required to constitute a standalone class, though exceptions may be made.
Online entry opens on 14 January, with early bird discounts available until 31 March. The closing date for entries is 31 May.
Class40 sailors interested in competing are encouraged to visit roundireland.ie for full details and see the notice of race here.
