Finn Lynch Wins Race as Irish Reach ILCA Gold Fleet

19th May 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Winning Pace — Finn Lynch of the National Yacht Club races at the ILCA European Championships in Croatia, where he claimed a race win to move into Gold Fleet Credit: Sailing Content

Irish sailors will contest Gold Fleet racing at the ILCA European Championships in Croatia after strong performances in challenging conditions at Kaštela Bay. National Yacht Club sailor Finn Lynch produced the standout Irish result on day three, winning his only race before racing was abandoned due to an approaching lightning storm.

The Carlow sailor now sits seventh overall in the ILCA 7 standings heading into the Final Series.

Howth Yacht Club’s Ewan McMahon also impressed, finishing fourth in his race to move into 14th overall and secure his Gold Fleet place. Only one race was completed before unstable weather forced organisers to halt competition for the day.

Irish Sailing ILCA 7 coach Ben Walkemeyer praised both sailors after racing. “Finn and Ewan both had really strong races today,” he said. “Finn won his race with some dominant downwind speed, and Ewan was also quick around the course to finish fourth.”

“We’ve put a big focus on strong-wind sailing and boat speed over the winter, and that really showed today. We’re looking forward now to Gold Fleet racing from tomorrow.”

Royal Irish Yacht Club sailor Fiachra McDonnell continued his senior championship debut with a 22nd-place finish in his race.

In the ILCA 6 fleet, Eve McMahon completed two races before racing was abandoned, finishing 10th and 13th. The latter becomes her discard result, leaving the Howth Yacht Club sailor ninth overall and third in the Under-23 standings.

McMahon described the day’s conditions as difficult to predict. “It was a tricky day today with a lot of mixed conditions,” she said. “In the first race, I didn’t get the start I wanted and had to fight back through the fleet to finish 10th.”

“In the second race, there were dark clouds building on the right-hand side, so I committed to that side of the course, but unfortunately, the shift didn’t arrive in time for the top mark.”

Despite the setback, McMahon remains firmly in contention entering the Final Series. “We’re into Gold Fleet tomorrow, so it will almost feel like a new event,” she said. “I’m hoping to step it up from here and put together consistent top-five results over the rest of the championship.”

Racing resumes tomorrow with six races scheduled in the Final Series.

Published in Laser, Eve McMahon, Howth YC, National YC, Royal Irish Yacht Club

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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
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Jul 24–26 — National Championships — Royal St. George YC
Sep 11–12 — End of Season Championships — Waterford Hrbr. YC

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Men ILCA 7: Aug 23 – Aug 30
Women ILCA 6: Sep 04 – Sep 12
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Designer Bruce Kirby & Ian Bruce

Year 1969

Crew 1
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Hull weight 58.97 kg (130.0 lb)
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Racing D-PN 91.1 RYA PN 1088 PHRF 217