Bray Twilight Regatta Draws 38 Boats To Wicklow Coast

24th June 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Fleet Spread — ILCA sailors race on Bray's coastal waters during the Midsummer Twilight Regatta. The mixed ILCA fleet enjoyed fresh conditions on Saturday before light winds curtailed Sunday's programme Credit: Eleanor Carroll Hayes

Bray Sailing Club hosted its annual Midsummer Twilight Dinghy Regatta over two evenings on the north Wicklow coast. The event attracted 38 boats across two fleets, with up to six races scheduled. This year's regatta was shortened from three days to two due to tidal constraints in Bray Harbour.

Originally launched by International Judge Gordon Davies as "a three-day regatta that you didn't have to take a day off work for", the event remains a popular fixture on the club calendar. Entries reflected the club's emphasis on accessibility and inclusion. Competitors included a Hansa Liberty helmed by Mary Duffy and a Hansa 303 sailed by Cian Nolan.

Solo Success — Claire Hanley, winner of the mixed ILCA fleet, races to victory during Bray Sailing Club's Midsummer Twilight Regatta. Photo: Eleanor Carroll Hayes

Saturday delivered ideal racing conditions. Race Officer Mark Henderson set three medium-length windward-leeward courses in a fresh south-easterly breeze that tested competitors across both fleets.

Sunday proved more challenging. Extremely light winds and a strong south-flowing ebb tide allowed only one race to be completed, with just a handful of experienced sailors finishing within the time limit.

Speaking at the prize-giving, Bray Sailing Club Sailing Secretary David McIlwee highlighted the wide range of sailors taking part. He praised competitors of all ages and abilities and noted that 15 members of the club's Skill Build adult induction programme raced under instructor supervision.

Fireball Flight — David McIlwee and Peter McMullan power their Fireball through the evening breeze during Bray Sailing Club's Midsummer Twilight Regatta. Photo: Eleanor Carroll Hayes

McIlwee also pointed to the regatta's youngest competitors, aged just 12, who were sailing an RS Feva and competing in their first-ever races.

The club is now preparing for a busy summer programme. Weekly cruiser racing, junior training courses and continued Skill Build activities are scheduled through to the end of September.

Inclusive Racing — RS Fevas, Hansa dinghies and other classes share the racecourse during Bray Sailing Club's Midsummer Twilight Regatta, reflecting the event's emphasis on participation and accessibility. Photo: Eleanor Carroll Hayes

More than 160 young sailors are already booked into Bray Sailing Club's junior training programme for the coming weeks.

Published in Laser, RS Sailing

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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