John Treanor’s new NMD 43 Cristina has arrived in Dun Laoghaire ahead of the 2026 offshore season.
The Royal Irish Yacht Club and National Yacht Club entry was sighted transiting the Dalkey Sound on Dublin Bay at lunchtime on Thursday, 19 March.
The former French Admiral’s Cup yacht, previously known as Albator, will form the centrepiece of Treanor’s campaign, beginning with the opening ISORA race on 11 April.
Treanor, who previously raced the J/112e Valentina, secured overall victory at Cork Week 2024.
As reported by Afloat last November, the Dublin Bay skipper acquired the Nivelt/Muratet-designed yacht to target major offshore events, including the Round Ireland Race cycle.
Campaigning Albator for Yacht Club de France, Philippe Frantz achieved notable results, including second place in AC2 on corrected time in the Fastnet Race.
Treanor said the move represents a step up in performance.
“Having enjoyed some success on Valentina over the last two seasons, I wanted a boat that would be a significant step up,” he told Afloat.
He added that the yacht is more suited to offshore racing.
“Undoubtedly, the boat is more offshore orientated,” he said, highlighting Round Ireland and other offshore events as priorities.
The yacht features a twin-rudder configuration that can be adapted for inshore racing.
“It is a complex boat to sail and we will have to work hard to get the maximum performance out,” he said.
Treanor has described 2026 as a learning season for the new programme.
As Afloat reported earlier, Cristina has also been entered in the 2026 Inishtearaght Skelligs Race.
The biennial offshore race, rebranded for 2026, will start at 19:30 on Friday, 29 May.
Depending on conditions, competitors will sail either a 240-nautical-mile course around Inishtearaght Island or a shorter 190-mile route rounding the Great Skellig.
