John Leech has been elected Commodore of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) following elections at its National Conference and AGM.
The event took place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire and featured a packed morning schedule.
Almost 50 members attended the conference, which combined elections, keynote speakers, awards and a sailors’ forum.
All Hands In — Delegates fill the room at the ICRA National Conference at the Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, as members gathered for elections, briefings and discussion.
Keynote speakers
Michael Boyd received recognition for captaining the Royal Irish Admiral’s Cup team and also addressed the conference as a keynote speaker.
Boyd, a former RORC Commodore, outlined his role as Chef d’Équipe for the Royal Irish Yacht Club team in the revived Admiral’s Cup series and reflected on the 2025 campaign.
Cup Revival — Michael Boyd, former RORC Commodore, addresses the ICRA National Conference on leading the Royal Irish Yacht Club campaign in the revived Admiral’s Cup and lessons from the 2025 series.
The crew of Headcase were honoured for their J24 World Championship victory and shared insights from a standout season.
World Beaters — J24 World Champions Cillian Dickinson and Louis Molloy of Headcase recap a landmark 2025 season, including a world title, European hat-trick and Keelboat Champions Cup win.
The team also secured a third consecutive European title, won the inaugural Keelboat Champions Cup and earned a World Sailing Team of the Year nomination.
Pamela Lee was recognised for her Class40 campaign and spoke about her #EmpowHer offshore racing project.
Solo Ambition — Offshore racer Pamela Lee outlines her #EmpowHer Class40 project, reflecting on the 2025 season and her goal to compete in the Route du Rhum in 2026.
Lee outlined her pathway from dinghy sailing on Lough Derg to international offshore racing and her ambition to compete in the Route du Rhum in 2026.
She also discussed campaign funding, professional team management and plans to attract international Class40 entries to this summer’s Round Ireland Race.
ICRA's Boats of the Year
James Dwyer retained the IRC Boat of the Year award, while Pat Tanner and crew claimed the Echo Boat of the Year trophy.
Top of the Fleet — James Dwyer receives the IRC Boat of the Year award during presentations at the ICRA National Conference and AGM in Dun Laoghaire.
Echo Honour — Pat Tanner and crew are presented with the Echo Boat of the Year trophy at the ICRA National Conference, recognising their season-long performance.
IRC, ECHO, YTC and ORC
Nigel Biggs, National Handicap Officer and chair of the Irish Sailing Handicap Working Group, presented an overview of recognised handicap systems.
Handicap Brief — National Handicap Officer Nigel Biggs explains recognised rating systems, including YTC, during his presentation at the ICRA National Conference.
His briefing included details of the YTC system, which is due to become available to Irish keelboats from 2026.
A sailors’ forum followed, with discussion on IRC, YTC, alongside views from owners calling for a balanced approach to the rival ORC.
ORC advocates noted claims that more than 100 Irish boats are now using the system.
2026 Events
Island Challenge — Kyran O’Grady briefs delegates on preparations for the 2026 Round Ireland Race at the ICRA National Conference and AGM.
Offshore Outlook — ISORA chair Peter Ryan outlines plans for the 2026 offshore racing season during presentations at the ICRA National Conference in Dun Laoghaire.
The morning also included updates from Cork Week Regatta, ISORA, SCORA and Round Ireland Race organisers.
The conference began at 10.30 am, followed by the AGM, and concluded at lunchtime.
