ISORA has confirmed plans for its 'most expansive offshore racing season' to date, with a 19-race programme scheduled for 2026 across coastal, cross-Channel and offshore venues.
The full programme was outlined earlier this year with the release of a packed 2026 offshore and coastal race calendar , highlighting a deliberate effort to broaden participation while retaining the association’s traditional blue-water challenges.
A key development for the coming season is the introduction of a new Silver YTC keelboat class for coastal racing, aimed at attracting non-IRC and first-time offshore boats to ISORA competition.
Big-boat competition is also set to return to the forefront, with Class 0 racing reviving on the Irish east coast as several high-performance teams signal their intention to campaign in 2026.
Offshore Outlook — ISORA chair Peter Ryan outlines plans for the 2026 offshore racing season during presentations at February 9th's ICRA National Conference in Dun Laoghaire.
The offshore programme again features ISORA’s established long-distance events, including the Midnight Race from Liverpool to the Isle of Man, K2Q, and the Round Ireland Race.
Major Irish offshore fixtures are also embedded within the season, notably the newly renamed Inishtearaght Skelligs Race , where leading ISORA sailor Chris Power Smith is set to defend his title.
The season preview also reflects the growing international ambitions within the fleet, with Irish offshore sailors targeting major continental events as part of their wider 2026 campaigns, including Johnny Treanor's new Cristina, a former French Admiral’s Cupper .
ISORA says the breadth of the 2026 programme allows crews to tailor their season, from short coastal starts to demanding offshore challenges across Irish and UK waters.
