Four races in fresh south-westerly winds decided the 2026 ILCA Leinster Championships at Skerries Sailing Club after gale-force conditions forced the abandonment of Saturday's racing. A fleet of 73 sailors, spanning six decades in age, competed at the second ILCA regional event of the 2026 season, with titles decided in the ILCA 7, ILCA 6 and ILCA 4 fleets.
Saturday's Small Craft Warning brought average winds of 26 knots with gusts into the mid-30s, leaving race officials with no option but to cancel racing.
Launch Time — Competitors wheel their ILCAs through Skerries ahead of racing at the 2026 Leinster Championships after Saturday's high winds gave way to four races in fresh south-westerly conditions on Sunday
Conditions improved dramatically on Sunday. Blue skies, sunshine and a gusty 15–18-knot south-westerly enabled race officers to complete four physically demanding races, with the fleet ashore by 2.30 pm. On-the-water jury members Derek Moynan and Emmet Dalton oversaw disciplined racing throughout the championship. Only three on-the-water penalties were issued, and no protests were lodged.
In the ILCA 7 fleet, Tom Coulter (Portrush Yacht Club/East Antrim Boat Club) recovered from an OCS in Race Two, which he discarded, to secure the title with three race wins.
Regional Winner — Portrush YC/East Antrim Boat Club's Tom Coulter receives the ILCA 7 winner's trophy after winning the fleet with three race victories at the 2026 ILCA Leinster Championships in Skerries
The ILCA 6 championship went to Conor Cronin (Malahide Yacht Club), whose three race victories underlined a commanding performance.
Winning Performance — Malahide YC's Conor Cronin receives the ILCA 6 winner's prize after topping the fleet with three race wins at the 2026 ILCA Leinster Championships in Skerries
Jackson Clark (Royal St George Yacht Club) completed the pattern in the ILCA 4 fleet, also winning three races to claim the Leinster title.
Winning Form — Royal St. George YC's Jackson Clark receives the ILCA 4 winner's prize after securing the fleet title with three race wins at the 2026 ILCA Leinster Championships in Skerries
Royal St George Yacht Club sailors Amy Kieran and Lucy Ives finished as first female competitors in the ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 fleets, respectively, with both also securing top-three overall finishes.
Leading Lady — Royal St. George YC's Amy Kieran receives the ILCA 4 Top Lady prize after finishing first female and third overall at the 2026 ILCA Leinster Championships in Skerries
Ladies' Success — Royal St. George YC's Lucy Ives receives the ILCA 6 Top Lady prize after finishing first female and third overall at the 2026 ILCA Leinster Championships in Skerries
The Masters honours went to Roger Craig and Patrick Hamilton.
ILCA 6 Masters — Patrick Hamilton receives the ILCA 6 Masters prize at the 2026 Leinster Championships in Skerries after finishing as the top Masters sailor in the ILCA 6 fleet
ILCA 7 Masters — Roger Craig receives the ILCA 7 Masters prize at the 2026 Leinster Championships in Skerries after finishing as the top Masters sailor in the ILCA 7 fleet
Skerries Sailing Club thanked its team of volunteers for delivering the championship and acknowledged the support of Howth Yacht Club, which supplied additional safety boats throughout the weekend. The club also recognised the backing of sponsors Arbour Blooms and Rooster Sailing. Find the full list of results here.
ILCA Ireland Chairman Sean Craig highlighted a busy month ahead for the class, with the ILCA National Championships due to take place at the Royal St George Yacht Club from 24–26 July.
