The ISORA fleet is preparing for Saturday morning’s return crossing from Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire following last weekend’s high-speed eastbound opener.
Race Seven of the 2026 offshore series starts at 08:30 on Saturday May 23rd, with online entries remaining open.
Current entries again feature a strong mix of Irish and Welsh offshore campaigns, including recent overall winner Pata Negra, the NMD 43 Cristina, Royal St George YC’s Aurelia and National YC Class One winner ReQuest.
The latest weather forecast suggests a notably lighter race than Saturday May 9th's rapid five-hour crossing to Wales.
Forecasts for the Irish Sea indicate south-westerly winds of only 10 to 12 knots offshore around the start time, easing further later in the day, with slight sea states and good visibility expected.
While the reduced breeze is unlikely to produce the record pace seen on the outbound leg, the softer conditions could tighten corrected-time racing across all IRC divisions.
The 55-mile course starts off the Holyhead breakwater before routing west towards Kish Lighthouse and the ISORA Dublin Bay Virtual Mark, finishing between the pier heads at Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
Race organisers have again reminded competitors to monitor commercial ferry traffic movements in and out of Holyhead Harbour.
All competing yachts will carry YB tracking devices, allowing supporters to follow the fleet live throughout the crossing. Trackers are scheduled for collection from Holyhead Marina from 07:00 on Saturday morning.
As in previous races this season, the offshore race is weighted at 1.1 in the ISORA championship standings.
Race Seven entries for the ISORA 2026 offshore series
| Yacht Name | Handicap (TCF) | Model | Sail Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finally | 1.019 | Elan 350 | GBR6939R |
| Lightning | 1.074 | Farr X2 | GBR8992R |
| Aurelia | 1.077 | J122 | IRL35950 |
| Pata Negra | 1.149 | Lombard 46 | GBR4669 |
| El Syd | 1.163 | Sydney 43 GTS | IRL3429 |
| Katanca | 0.917 | Elan 31 | 31310 |
| D-Tox | 1.027 | X-35 | IRL13500 |
| ReQuest | 1.024 | JPK 10.30 | IRL53196 |
| White Lotus | 0.950 | Elan 333 | IRL1333 |
| Pillaban | 1.019 | Archambault A35 | IRL5880 |
| Razorbill | 1.026 | Sunfast 3300 | IRL1858 |
| Loinnir | 1.017 | JPK 1030 | 53308 |
| Darling XX | 1.002 | Xp 33 | GBR4933R |
| State O'Chassis | 0.973 | Sigma 38 | IRL638 |
| No Xcuse | 1.069 | Dehler 30OD | SWE041 |
| Cristina | 1.203 | NMD 43 | IRL7887 |
| Hijacker | 1.029 | Ker 32 | GBR732R |
