The Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association (ISORA) has launched a new discussion group ahead of its 2025 Annual General Meeting, aiming to generate ideas to boost interest in offshore racing and attract both returning and new boats.
The group has been set up to explore ways to retain participation and reinvigorate the offshore racing calendar in the Irish Sea region.
"There is a discussion every year at the AGM to set the ISORA race schedule," said ISORA Chair Peter Ryan. "This is a preview of that discussion. Hopefully, the AGM will only need to ratify the results."
Ryan added that the sailing calendar is becoming overcrowded. “We should avoid clashes with existing events and combine with as many events as possible,” he said.
He noted that the coastal series, introduced to encourage offshore participation, has seen growing success, with coastal races now featured in most keelboat events.
The discussion group invites input from skippers and crew who are invested in the future of offshore sailing in the region.
"We need to innovate and change to retain and attract offshore sailors", Royal St. George J122 skipper Chris-Power Smith said.
The initiative sets the stage for the ISORA 2025 AGM, confirmed for Saturday, 8 November at 1500 hours, in the JB Room of the National Yacht Club and will be followed by the black tie prizegiving and presentation of the overall Wolf's Head trophy to Welsh winner, the Lombard 46, Pata Negra, co-skippered by Andrew and Sam Hall.
Key business at the meeting will include:
- Approval of the 2024 AGM minutes and 2025 accounts
- Election of officers and committee members
- Agreement on the 2026 Race Management Detail and proposed Race Schedule
The meeting is open to:
- Current and prospective skippers (or their representatives)
- 2025 and proposed 2026 committee members
- Yacht and sailing club representatives
Voting is limited to one vote per ISORA-participating boat.
Questions for the AGM must be submitted to Hon. Secretary Stephen Tudor by 1200 hrs on 3 November via [email protected]
Meeting documents will include reports from the Chair and Hon. Secretary, the 2025 accounts, officer nominations, and a draft 2026 schedule prepared by the Technical Committee.
The AGM notice was published on 17 September 2025.
