Ireland’s Sienna Wright of Howth Yacht Club has moved into second overall in the women’s fleet at the 2026 ILCA 6 Youth World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, after three races were completed in stronger conditions on Saturday.
Wright, sailing IRL 225583, produced an impressive 1-2-1 scoreline across Saturday’s three races, adding to her third place from Friday’s opening race. With her opening-day third discarded, she sits on four net points, just one point behind defending youth world champion Hermionie Chichas of Greece.
The Irish sailor’s consistency leaves her firmly in contention at the top of the championship, with Israel’s Rebecca Mantel third overall on 12 points. Wright is heading a sizeable Irish challenge in Aarhus, with 13 Irish sailors represented across the women’s and men’s fleets.
Wright Wins Twice as Wind Returns
Saturday brought a dramatic improvement in racing conditions after a frustrating opening day, when prolonged light winds restricted the programme.
Winds of around 12 to 15 knots from the west initially provided significantly better racing on Aarhus Bay, before increasing during the day and reaching as much as 23 knots. The stronger breeze suited Wright, who won two of her three fleet races and took second in the other to strengthen her challenge for the women’s title.
The women have now completed four qualifying races, while the men have sailed three.
Sweden’s Adrian Domack welcomed the chance to complete a full programme after Friday’s delays, although he described the conditions as demanding.
“It was really good to get three races in today after yesterday, but it was a difficult day,” Domack said. “The wind was strong, and the conditions were tough, so it was challenging out there.”
Race Officer Heinzy said conditions were close to ideal at the start of the programme.
“We had a really good day today, with westerly winds around 12 to 15 knots to begin with, increasing throughout the day and reaching up to 23 knots,” he said. “The conditions were almost perfect to begin with and then became a little stronger, which gave the sailors a good test.”
Irish Men Complete Three Races
In the men’s championship, Conor Cronin is the leading Irish sailor in 19th overall after posting scores of 10th, second and 12th for 24 points.
Irish Charge — Conor Cronin leads the Irish men’s challenge at the 2026 ILCA 6 Youth World Championships in Aarhus, sitting 19th overall after three races with scores of 10th, second and 12th. Photo: Peter Brogger
Marcus Shelley is 127th on 99 points, while Cormac Byrne is 161st on 118. Under-17 sailor Max O’Hare is 165th on 123 points, followed by Joseph Robinson in 176th on 126 and Eolann Miles in 180th on 132. Eduardo Gasset stands 195th on 139 points, with fellow Under-17 sailor Jack Ives 202nd on 148. Rory Brennan-Hobbs is 214th on 155 points and Harry Dunne 261st on 185.
At the head of the men’s standings, Italy’s Lorenzo Ghirotti leads on five points, one ahead of Turkey’s Ali Özdemir, with Italy’s Giovanni Bedoni third on 10.
Murphy and Ní Choistealbha Also Racing for Ireland
Ireland has three sailors in the women’s fleet. Behind Wright, Abigail Murphy is 81st overall with 106 net points after four races, while Siún Ní Choistealbha is 103rd on 128 net points.
With qualifying continuing and further racing expected in good breeze, Wright enters the next stage of the championship only a single point off the overall lead.
