The first Irish coastal race of the 2026 ISORA season is set for Saturday, April 11, with a strengthened fleet featuring several notable new entries.
Among the additions are Greystones’ Ker 43 El Syd (Frank Whelan) and Johnny Treanor’s NMD 43 Cristina, both previously highlighted on Afloat, i.e., as major home contenders in June's Round Ireland Race.
The Dun Laoghaire-based race marks the opening of the Viking Marine Coastal Series and will see all classes start together at 11:00 am.
The long-range forecast indicates light easterly winds below ten knots.
The draft Sailing Instructions (downloadable below) confirm a single-course format with a planned three-hour duration and a harbour start off the Dun Laoghaire Outfall buoy, finishing between the pier heads.
The double-handed division also gains fresh interest. John Malone’s JPK 1030 Loinnir, which debuted at the DBSC Spring Chicken Series earlier this year, is expected to line up double-handed.
Johnny Treanor’s NMD 43 Cristina in some early training on Dublin Bay in advance of Saturday's first ISORA Viking Marine Coastal Series of the 2026 season Race Photo: Afloat
Other confirmed entries include Barry O'Connor's Katanca racing two-handed, alongside Justin Burke's sistership ReQuest. There will also be the fully crewed J122 Aurelia, Simon Knowles's J109 Indian, recent Spring Chicken winner, the Sigma 38 State O’Chassis, former ISORA champion, Ben Shanahan's J109, Ruth and Pillaban. Meanwhile, Hijacker and No Xcuse are not expected to make the start line.
David Townend's A35 Pillaban expects to make the first coastal race Photo: Afloat
The early-season coastal race traditionally offers a sharp test for crews transitioning into offshore mode, with tracker-based results and mandatory crew declarations forming part of the race management system.
With new boats joining established campaigners, Saturday’s opener is expected to provide an early indication of form ahead of the wider ISORA offshore programme.
In other ISORA news, the offshore body has just released details of a new under-25 prize for the 2026 season in time for the first races.
