The Northern Ireland Sailing Team have successfully defended their Celtic Cup title, claiming back-to-back victories at Port Edgar, Scotland.
The regatta, held under the shadow of the Firth of Forth bridges, featured junior and youth sailors from across the home nations. Northern Ireland outpaced teams from Scotland and Wales in a weekend of high-stakes, high-wind racing.
Saturday brought strong easterly breezes and seven back-to-back windward-leeward races. However, Sunday's flat calm led to the cancellation of racing, making it a one-day decider.
In the ILCA 6 class, Cormac Byrne and Joseph Robinson (BYC) placed 2nd and 4th, respectively, while Emily McAfee (BYC) secured First Girl.
The Topper class saw an all-Northern Irish podium sweep, with Adam Green (LEYC), Ben McCaldin (LEYC), and Leo West-Hurst (BYC) taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
RYANI Performance Manager Andrew Baker praised the team's efforts: “To win the Celtic Cup is a great outcome. To retain it shows depth and consistency. We can always improve, but I’m proud of the performance.”
Baker added that while the results were impressive, they don’t reflect how close the racing really was: “The other nations pushed hard. You could clearly see who had put the effort into fitness — talent only gets you so far.”
The event also provided valuable social and developmental experiences for young sailors, fostering friendships and helping them plan for the season.
Looking forward, the team sets its sights on April’s Irish Sailing Youth Nationals, hosted at Ballyholme Yacht Club.
Northern Ireland sailors celebrate back-to-back Celtic Cup victories at Port Edgar under the iconic Forth bridges.
NIST 2026 Celtic Cup Team
Topper Class
- Adam Green
- Ben McCaldin
- Caroline Byrne
- Charlie Haslett
- Emma West-Hurst
- Leo West-Hurst
ILCA 6 Class
- Cormac Byrne
- Joseph Robinson
- Emily McAfee
- Freddie Doig
- George Doig
- Isabel Nixon
Northern Ireland’s season opener sends a strong message — the team are ready to compete, and to win.
