Clean Sweep for Royal St George ILCA Sailors on Lough Derg

30th June 2025

Afloat.ie Team

ILCA 4s approach the top mark at the Killaloe Sailing Club hosted Western Championships on Lough Derg

A slightly smaller than normal turnout for a Regionals brought 50 ILCAs to picturesque Killaloe Sailing Club for the ILCA Ireland Western Championships on June 28/29. Numbers were lower due to some absent 4 and 6 rig sailors, competing during the current period in Poland and Germany. Nevertheless, competition was fierce in all 3 rigs and RO Michael Conway ran a full programme, despite often variable and shifty breezes.

ILCAs peel around a top mark at the Western Championships at Killaloe on Lough Derg

Saturday was quite drizzly, but this never dampened the enthusiasm of sailors or volunteers. Indeed, on-site camping and a generous welcome made for a really great atmosphere all weekend. A highlight was three Ballyholme Full rig sailors wheeling out a full-size garden gas BBQ from a camper van, such was their determination to cook up the mandatory 'Ulster Fry' before sailing!

Fryin' up at Killaloe Fryin' up in the rain at Killaloe...

Saturday was fairly light and shifty, but 3 clear leaders emerged in all 3 rigs: Max O'Hare (RStGYC) in the 4, Conor Cronin (RStGYC/Malahide) in the 6 and Conor Byrne (RStGYC) in the 7. A feature of the very close racing in the 6s was strong performances from sailors who have also been sailing the 4-rig of late, such as Eolann Miles, Rory Drennan-Hobbs, and Leo O'Docherty.

Sunday dawned drier, the sun came out, and the wind increased to give a fabulous day all-round, with 3 more super races. Overnight leaders held their nerves to finish the job, though Daniel Palmer (Ballyholme) had a strong day, taking two first places to make a push for outright honours in the 6 rig.

In other prize categories, Henrietta Leech of Lough Ree was the first 4-rig girl, with Caoilinn Geraghty McDonnell (RStG) taking the female award in 6's. First Master in 6's was Darren Griffin (RStGYC), holding off good second day charges by Australian Robert Jeffreys (RCYC) and Conor Clancy (RStGYC). First in silver division was Jeffreys (after a Black Flag on Day 1) with Stan O'Rourke (Malahide) as Silver division runner-up. In the 7 Rig, Conor Byrne was first Master as well as first Overall and Alex Deasy of Malahide was first Youth.

So to recap, the new Western Champions are Max O'Hare, Conor Cronin and Conor Byrne and this represents a very rewarding clean sweep for the Royal St George Yacht Club ILCA fleet, which currently totals over 100 boats, making it one of the largest ILCA hubs anywhere in the world.

Race Results

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Published in Laser, RStGYC, Youth Sailing, Inland Waterways

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About the ILCA/Laser Dinghy

The ILCA, formerly known as the Laser, is the most produced boat in the world, with 220,000 units built since 1971.

It's easy to see why the single-handed dinghy has won the title of the most widely distributed boat of all time.

The Laser is a one-design dinghy, the hulls being identical but three rigs that can be used according to the size and weight of the sailor.

The class is international, with sailors from 120 countries. The boat has also been an Olympic class since 1996, being both the men's and women's singlehanded dinghy.

Three rigs are recognised by the International Laser Class Association (ILCA):

ILCA 4: sail of 4.70m2
ILCA 6: sail of 5.76 m2
ILCA 7: sail of 7.06 m2

ILCA 2026 Calendar

Apr 04–05 — Munster Championships — Baltimore SC
Apr 09–12 — Irish Sailing Youth Nationals — Ballyholme YC
May 09–10 — Ulster Championships — East Antrim BC
May 23–24 — Masters National Championships — Howth YC
Jun 27–28 — Leinster Championships — Skerries SC
Jul 24–26 — National Championships — Royal St. George YC
Sep 11–12 — End of Season Championships — Waterford Hrbr. YC

2026 ILCA World Championships

Men ILCA 7: Aug 23 – Aug 30
Women ILCA 6: Sep 04 – Sep 12
Royal St. George Yacht Club & National Yacht Club (Dublin Bay)

At A Glance – Laser Dinghy Specifications

Designer Bruce Kirby & Ian Bruce

Year 1969

Crew 1
Draft 0.787 m (2 ft 7.0 in)
Hull weight 58.97 kg (130.0 lb)
LOA 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in)
LWL 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in)
Beam 1.39 m (4 ft 7 in)
Mainsail area 7.06 m2 (76.0 sq ft)

Racing D-PN 91.1 RYA PN 1088 PHRF 217