Irish Sailors Open ILCA 4 Youth Worlds Campaign in Aarhus

5th August 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Fleet Start — A packed ILCA 4 fleet launches into qualifying racing on Aarhus Bay during the opening day of the 2026 ILCA 4 Youth World Championships in Denmark Credit: Peter Brogger

Ireland's seven youth sailors are up and running at the 2026 ILCA 4 Youth World Championships after the opening day of qualifying in Aarhus, Denmark.

Jackson Clark made the strongest Irish start in the boys' fleet, finishing the first day in 141st place on 69 points after two races. John Kenny ended the day 231st on 110 points, with James Crawford 241st on 114 points. Alex Butcher completed the Irish contingent in 258th place on 124 points.

In the girls' fleet, Amy Shelley led the Irish challenge in 70th place on 69 points, just ahead of Amy Kieran in 73rd on 71 points. Kate Spain finished the opening day 111th on 110 points.

The championship entered racing mode after three days of registration, equipment inspections, the official practice race, and the opening ceremony.

All six qualifying fleets completed two races in favourable easterly winds on Aarhus Bay, with the boys split across four fleets and the girls racing in two.

Global Challenge — ILCA 4 sailors from around the world compete on Aarhus Bay during the opening qualifying races of the 2026 ILCA 4 Youth World Championships in Denmark. Photo: Peter Brogger

Course Race Officer Christian Lerche praised the racing on opening day.

"It has been a really good day on the water. We had good easterly winds, fine racing conditions and the sailors showed great discipline on the start lines," he said. "With fleets this large, we were prepared for more general recalls and difficult starts, but the sailors handled the opening day very well. Completing two races for each of the six fleets is a very positive start to the championship."

Race Officer Kim Pedersen also welcomed the successful start to the regatta.

Ashore, the Aarhus International Sailing Centre remained busy as sailors, coaches and volunteers from around the world prepared for the remainder of the qualifying series.

Results took longer than usual to finalise due to the size of the fleet, with race officials using written records, audio notes, and video footage to verify finishing positions. Qualifying racing continues on Aarhus Bay before the fleets are split into Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions for the championship series.

Published in Laser, Youth Sailing

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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):

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ILCA 2026 Calendar

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May 09–10 — Ulster Championships — East Antrim BC
May 23–24 — Masters National Championships — Howth YC
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Men ILCA 7: Aug 23 – Aug 30
Women ILCA 6: Sep 04 – Sep 12
Royal St. George Yacht Club & National Yacht Club (Dublin Bay)

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Designer Bruce Kirby & Ian Bruce

Year 1969

Crew 1
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Racing D-PN 91.1 RYA PN 1088 PHRF 217