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Saturday’s ISORA Viking Marine Coastal opener from Dun Laoghaire has been postponed following discussions with race officers amid strong wind forecasts.

Race organisers confirmed that Race 2 will now be sailed at 11 am next Saturday, April 18, with conditions this weekend deemed unsuitable for racing.

The decision follows earlier concerns over gusty south-westerlies and course safety, which had already prompted debate among competitors on distance and format.

Prior to the postponement, the withdrawal of defending champion Rockabill VI and ongoing course discussions had already set the tone for a challenging season opener.

Owner Paul O’Higgins confirmed the setback, saying: “We’re gone for Saturday, and I’m not sure when we’ll be back.”

With the defender out of the picture, two new big arrivals were set to go head to head as Johnny Treanor's NMD 43 Cristina and Frank Whelan's El Syd Sydney 43 GTS, looking for an early victory in the first clash of the season.

The first Viking Marine Coastal Race was scheduled for an 11 am start, but strong and gusty south-westerlies had already triggered debate on course options and safety.

Coastal Route — The proposed ISORA opener course tracks from Dun Laoghaire to the Muglins, Bray and Killiney outfalls, with a short inshore loop designed to limit exposure in strong winds before the Race Officers decided to postpone until April 18th

Race organisers were considering a shorter, inshore track to limit exposure to building seas. A draft risk assessment outlined a 16.7-mile course via the Muglins, Bray and Killiney outfalls before a local finish.

Winds are forecast in the low 20s knots, gusting into the 30s, with conditions described as 'testing' for an early-season race. Skippers have been reminded that the decision to race rests with each boat.

One skipper, however, questioned the proposed distance, suggesting it may be too short for the fleet. He said higher-rated boats could complete the course quickly and proposed a Greystones and back option for “a truer beat and run” if the wind trends more southerly.

He added that a minimum three-hour race would better suit mid-fleet boats, noting that “mid boats are getting bigger”.

Despite the late withdrawal, the fleet shows strong domestic interest, as Afloat previously reported here. Entries also include Sail Away (Dynamo 25), Albireo (Swan 371) and Aurelia (J122), with online entry still open and final declarations pending.

Further updates on the course and Race 2 planning are expected during the week.

ISORA Irish Entries 2026