Frank Whelan’s Greystones Harbour Sailing Club-based El Syd has secured the 2026 ICRA IRC Boat of the Year title, according to the latest calculations from the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA), with the two remaining qualifying Autumn Leagues overlapping.
The Ker 43 has accumulated 10.75 points, putting her 3.25 points clear of nearest challenger Swuzzlebubble on 7.5 points.
Two qualifying events remain on the ICRA programme — the Howth Yacht Club Autumn League, which started last weekend, and the Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League, which begins on Sunday, September 27.
However, the two six-week series overlap for four weekends and, according to ICRA's latest calculations, a maximum of three additional points is now available to a competing boat.
That means the defending IRC Boat of the Year champion Swuzzlebubble, currently ashore at Royal Cork, could reach a maximum of 10.5 points, leaving El Syd's 10.75-point total beyond reach.
Under the 2026 ICRA Boat of the Year Notice of Race, a boat's overall score is calculated from its four best event scores. A divisional win earns three points before the relevant event and division weightings are applied.
2026 ICRA IRC Boat of the Year Standings
| Boat | Round Ireland | ICRA | Calves | ISORA | DBSC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Syd | 2.25 | 4.50 | 2.00 | 2.00 | — | 10.75 |
| Swuzzlebubble | — | 4.50 | 3.00 | — | — | 7.50 |
| Aurelia | 1.50 | — | — | 2.25 | 3.00 | 6.75 |
| Tuco | — | 4.50 | 2.00 | — | — | 6.50 |
| Rockabill VI | 4.50 | — | — | — | — | 4.50 |
Source: ICRA 2026 Boat of the Year calculations.
ECHO Boat of the Year Still Open
While the IRC award is settled according to the latest ICRA calculations, the separate ECHO Boat of the Year remains open.
Smile currently leads on six points, just half a point ahead of Out of the Blue on 5.5 points.
Five boats — Swuzzlebubble, Hellaby Puffin, El Syd, White Pearl and Boekanier — are tied on 4.5 points.
2026 ICRA ECHO Boat of the Year Standings
| Boat | ICRA | Calves | DBSC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smile | 3.00 | 3.00 | — | 6.00 |
| Out of the Blue | 4.50 | — | 1.00 | 5.50 |
| Swuzzlebubble | 4.50 | — | — | 4.50 |
| Hellaby Puffin | — | — | 4.50 | 4.50 |
| El Syd | 4.50 | — | — | 4.50 |
| White Pearl | 4.50 | — | — | 4.50 |
| Boekanier | 4.50 | — | — | 4.50 |
Source: ICRA 2026 Boat of the Year calculations.
ICRA's Notice of Race provides for separate IRC and ECHO Boat of the Year trophies, which are to be presented at the association's annual conference and AGM.
