Conor Haughton’s Jupiter has won the 2026 J24 National Championship at Foynes Yacht Club after taking six race victories from the nine-race series on the Shannon Estuary. Foynes Yacht Club celebrated a home success as Darragh McCormack and his crew aboard Stouche finished second overall, with Snoopy J completing the championship podium in third.
The three-day championship brought crews from clubs around Ireland to Foynes for racing in widely varying conditions.
Strong, blustery winds tested the fleet on Friday before Saturday brought more settled racing conditions. The breeze strengthened again on Sunday as the championship reached its conclusion.
Race Officer Derek Bothwell and his team completed the full nine-race programme, with Jupiter establishing itself at the front of the fleet through six race wins.
Foynes Crew Takes Second Overall
Behind Haughton’s championship-winning crew, McCormack’s Stouche secured second place for host club Foynes Yacht Club.
Snoopy J finished third overall.
The overall top three were:
- Jupiter — Conor Haughton and crew
- Stouche — Darragh McCormack and crew, Foynes Yacht Club
- Snoopy J
Champions crowned: Conor Hauton and the Jupiter crew celebrate with the J24 National Championship trophy after a commanding six race wins from nine at Foynes Yacht Club
Home success: Darragh McCormack and the Stouche crew collect their prizes after securing second overall and a strong home-club result for Foynes Yacht Club
Podium finish: The Snoopy J crew receive their prizes after completing the overall podium in third at the 2026 J24 National Championship on the Shannon Estuary
In the Silver Fleet, Jelignite took first place, ahead of the Howth Yacht Club Under-25 team in second and Proud Mary in third.
Kilcullen Wins Under-25 Division
Younger crews featured strongly during the championship, with Howth Yacht Club’s Kilcullen taking the Under-25 title.
Royal Cork Yacht Club’s Jambalaya finished second in the division, while Tralee Bay Sailing Club’s Lady J took third.
The Under-25 results were:
- Kilcullen — Howth Yacht Club
- Jambalaya — Royal Cork Yacht Club
- Lady J — Tralee Bay Sailing Club
J24 Association President Mark Usher welcomed the standard of racing and the championship's success, and said he looked forward to returning to Foynes.
Foynes Yacht Club Commodore Patricia McCormack said the club was proud to host the championship and praised the standard of competition across the fleet. She also highlighted the contribution of the younger sailors and thanked Race Officer Derek Bothwell, the race team, the organising committee, the clubhouse team, and the volunteers involved in staging the event.
McCormack also thanked visiting crews for their contribution to the championship both afloat and ashore.
Foynes Hospitality
The racing programme was accompanied by a busy shoreside programme, with Saturday evening featuring music, singing and dancing among competitors.
Foynes Yacht Club’s hospitality was also praised by visiting sailors during the three-day event.
The championship adds to the club’s long association with sailing on the Shannon Estuary and brought the Irish J24 fleet together for nine races in conditions ranging from strong winds to more moderate racing weather.
The fleet will next turn its attention towards the 2027 season.
