The fifth Women at the Helm (WATH) Regatta 2026 (WATH) took place at the National Yacht Club over the weekend of June 12th-14th in conjunction with the National Yacht Club Regatta on Saturday June 13th with WATH racing continuing on Sunday June 14th. Event organiser Ann Kirwan, along with her organising committee aimed to deliver a fun-filled, female-led, event on and off the water.
The WATH Regatta which was kindly supported by Sia, kicked off with a speaker supper in the NYC on Friday evening with Bryan Dobson in conversation with leading sports psychologist Kate Kirby, and offshore sailors Gráinne Costigan and Pamela Lee, both of whom are competing in the round Ireland race which starts next Saturday June 20th. The speakers inspirational stories enthralled the packed dining room of the National Yacht Club.
Raising The Bar — Speakers and organisers gather at the National Yacht Club ahead of the fifth Women at the Helm Regatta. The female-led sailing event combined racing, mentoring and inspiration on and off the water.
Over 60 women took the helm in the WATH regatta on boats ranging from 44 footers to Flying Fifteens and Water Wags. Saturday’s racing was run by Race Officers Con Murphy, John McNeilly and Suzanne McGarry, while Mairead NiCheallachain ran Sunday’s racing aboard DBSC committee vessel Freebird.
Women at the Helm Regatta 2026 Photo Gallery by Michael Chester
Two boats travelled up from Wicklow for the WATH regatta, Ruffian Ruffage, and cruiser Imprint, and there were two women from HYC joining the NYC’s Echo 90 ketch, as well as offshore sailor Gráinne Costigan and her French team mate sailing on an NYC J80.
As Afloat reported earlier, Saturday’s race took place in moderate to breezy conditions, while Sunday’s race took place in sunny conditions with light easterly winds.
Newly elected NYC Commodore Rosemary Cadogan presented the WATH Regatta prizes in glorious sunshine on the NYC platform on Sunday afternoon.
As well as the class prizes, the two premier prizes were presented. The inaugural Woman at the Helm overall prize - the O’Connor family trophy, was awarded to Sarah Cooney on J80 Joyride. The Roy Family Trophy was awarded to the 3-boat team of NYC’s J80 Sea Jade helmed by Clare Gorman, DB21 Oola helmed by Jean O’Driscoll, and Ruffian 23 helmed by Ann Kirwan.
