Lyttle Wins Second ILCA Grand Masters World Crown

16th June 2026

Afloat.ie Team

World-Class Mark — National Yacht Club sailor and World ILCA President Mark Lyttle celebrates victory at the ILCA 7 Masters World Championship in Athens, securing his second Grand Masters world title.

Mark Lyttle has become a two-time ILCA Grand Masters World Champion after the National Yacht Club sailor secured victory at the 2026 ILCA 7 Masters World Championship in Athens.

The Dún Laoghaire sailor and World ILCA President added the Greek title to the Grand Masters crown he first won on home waters in Dún Laoghaire eight years ago, making him one of Ireland's most successful masters sailors on the world stage.

The National Yacht Club sailor topped the 33-boat Grand Masters fleet in Greece after six days of racing and 12 races sailed.

According to provisional results, (downloadable below) Lyttle finished the championship on 50 net points, 13 clear of American Robert Hallawell, with Australia's Bruce Savage third overall.

The Irish sailor began the final day holding a narrow four-point advantage but removed any doubt with a second and a first place in the concluding races to seal the title in convincing fashion.

His winning scoreline featured ten top-ten finishes from 12 races and underlined the consistency that had kept him at the head of the fleet throughout the championship.

The victory marks a second Grand Masters world title for Lyttle following his breakthrough success at the 2018 ILCA Masters World Championship in Dún Laoghaire.

The result is a significant achievement for Irish sailing and for the National Yacht Club sailor, who combines international competition with his role as President of the International Laser Class Association.

Competing against sailors from Europe, North America and Australia, Lyttle emerged as the most consistent performer in the fleet, converting his overnight lead into a world championship victory on the waters of Kalamaki, Athens.

Download results below

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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