Saturday's ICRA Conference at Dun Laoghaire Harbour will provide updates on 2025's key sailing regattas from around the coast.
ICRA Commodore Denis Byrne will introduce delegates from the ISORA series, Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Calves Week, the Volvo D2D race, the Sovereigns Cup, which will incorporate the ICRA National Championships, and WIORA week. All will attend the East Pier pow-wow at the National Yacht Club this Saturday morning (February 15th) from 10:30 am.
ICRA Commodore Denis Byrne
The 2025 Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race director Adam Winkelmann will confirm June's race forms part of both the RORC and ISORA racing calendars. In addition, the entry fee remains at the same level as 2023. As regular Afloat readers know, the Notice of Race for the 2025 Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race — the D2D — is now available online. The race will start on Wednesday, 11 June at 2 pm from Dun Laoghaire, with the prize-giving dinner at The Dingle Skellig Hotel on Saturday, 14 June, from 7 pm.
Racing past the Muglins Rock at the start of the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Photo: Afloat
Kinsale Yacht Club's Kildare Innovation Campus 2025 Sovereign’s Cup will run from the 25th to the 28th of June in West Cork. This edition holds special significance, as it will incorporate the 2025 Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) Nationals, drawing some of the best sailors and crews from across the country and beyond. A key highlight, according to new Regatta director Michael O'Sullivan, is the decision to offer free entry to all Under-25 boats, underscoring the club’s commitment to fostering youth sailing.
The Kinsailor Under 25 crew competing at the 2023 Sovereign’s Cup Photo: Afloat
Dun Laoghaire Regatta's Paddy Boyd will update on entries for Ireland's biggest regatta (July 10-13), which has already seen Scottish and Welsh big boats among the first entries, and there will be further details on the new Irish Sea Nations Cup competition, racing as part of the event, with the Notice of Race recently published.
ISORA racing off Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Afloat
As previously reported, ISORA finalised its 2025 racing schedule back in November, reducing fixtures to avoid clashes with other events. The 2025 calendar still strongly emphasises its coastal series in Ireland and Wales but with four instead of the traditional six races on the Irish side of the Cross Channel. The 'Offshore Series has been designed to provide a challenging series with a variety of ports and a complexity of courses', according to ISORA chief Peter Ryan.
Racing at West Cork's Calves Week Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman
West Cork's Calves Week Regatta, traditionally held in the first week in August, runs from Tuesday, August 5 to Friday, August 8 in 2025. The Schull Harbour Hotel-sponsored event has six entries to date, including the reigning Cork Week champion, and its Notice of Race has been published.
WIORA Regatta will run from 18th - 21st June at Mayo Sailing Club.
Boats of the Year
Significantly, some of these events will count towards ICRA's Boat Of The Year award for the 2025 season. The Notice of Race (NOR) for this year's ICRAs Boat Of The Year will be published shortly. Both the 2024 ECHO and IRC Boats of the Year will be presented at the conference.
Sailors Forum
The chance to debate the big issues in Irish cruiser racing is also on the table at the NYC. Alongside insights from the announced keynote speakers, conference attendees can also contribute to the 'Sailors Forum'.
Nigel Biggs is ICRA's new Handicaps Officer appointment Photo: Afloat
"It's a chance to discuss the big issues in our sport", says Byrne, who adds, "It is always a great way to share knowledge and provide suggestions". With no end of topics for discussion, ISORA's agm call for clear safety protocols amid liability concerns, the Irish Sea Nations Cup developments, Ireland's mid-winter successes abroad, plus this week's news of Scotland's West Highland Yachting Week transition to a new handicap system and ICRA's own appointment of a new Handicaps Officer and the revision of ECHO ratings will all surely raise comment on Saturday.
The conference will start at 10:30 am, followed by the AGM, and close at lunchtime.
