Final Call II delivered a near-perfect performance to claim the 2026 GBR IRC Northern Ireland Championship at Carrickfergus Sailing Club, winning five of six races to secure the overall IRC title in emphatic fashion. Eighteen boats contested the championship as part of Carrickfergus Sailing Club's annual regatta, with 12 boats competing in IRC/YTC 1 and six in IRC/YTC 2 across two days of varied conditions on Belfast Lough.
Saturday opened with a windward-leeward race in 10-12 knots from the south. In IRC 1, Victric 3 edged a close battle with Final Call II to take the opening victory, while IRC 2 produced one of the closest finishes of the weekend as Hellaby Puffin beat Symmetry and Squawk by less than 10 seconds on corrected time.
Bow Battle: Victric 3 powers ahead during the GBR IRC Northern Ireland Championship, where consistent front-running performances secured the YTC 1 title and second place overall in IRC. Photo: Ryan Wilson
The second race, a 10-mile coastal course, saw the breeze build to 19-20 knots, creating tactical reaching conditions that tested sail inventories. VX One designs thrived on the reaching legs, with Sheep Dawg taking line honours ahead of Vixen in YTC. Although A35 Succession led convincingly after the first beat, sistership Final Call II overhauled her later in the race. In IRC 2, Endeavour crossed the finish line first, but Symmetry claimed corrected-time honours.
Leading Edge: Final Call II rounds ahead of Elixir during the GBR IRC Northern Ireland Championship, with the A35 building the momentum that would carry her to five straight race wins and the overall IRC title. Photo: Ryan Wilson
Back ashore, competitors were welcomed with complimentary refreshments delivered directly to their boats before enjoying the regatta tea accompanied by the traditional brass band.
Sunday's programme featured three windward-leeward races after persistent rain gave way to steady south-easterly winds of 8-12 knots. Final Call II was untouchable in IRC 1, completing a clean sweep of race wins to add to Saturday's victory. Victric 3 secured second-place finishes in the final two races to strengthen its overall podium position, while Spirit of Jacana and Elixir also featured prominently.
Race On: Elixir leads Victric 3 during a closely fought encounter at the GBR IRC Northern Ireland Championship, with the pair locked in one of the weekend's key battles in IRC 1. Photo: Ryan Wilson
IRC 2 remained fiercely competitive throughout the day, with Quarter Tonners Hellaby Puffin and Symmetry sharing the race victories. One race featured an unusual interruption when the committee boat had to be replaced due to a smoking battery, before a dramatic 180-degree wind shift reset the course. Despite the changing conditions, the fleet remained closely matched, although Elixir's first-place finish on the water was nullified after being ruled OCS.
Following the conclusion of a protest in IRC 2, prizes were presented with support from North Sails, which supplied hats, kit bags and a 20 per cent sail voucher for the overall IRC winner.
Final Call II lifted the IRC Northern Ireland Championship trophy with an outstanding scoreline of 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, while Hellaby Puffin claimed both the IRC 2 and YTC 2 titles. Victric 3 topped the YTC 1 standings. Find the results here.
The GBR IRC Northern Ireland Championship returns in 2027, to be hosted by the Royal Ulster Yacht Club on 26-27 June.
