ILCA Ireland Sets Up Busy Autumn With New Transition Clinic

27th August 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Autumn Push – ILCA Ireland launches a new Transition Training Clinic at Dunmore East ahead of its End-of-Season Championships and the rescheduled Munster Championships

While the ILCA 7 Men's World Championship is commanding attention on Dublin Bay, ILCA Ireland is preparing for a busy conclusion to its domestic 2026 season, beginning with a new Transition Training Clinic in Dunmore East.

The first-of-its-kind clinic will be held at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club on September 5th and 6th and is aimed particularly at sailors moving into the ILCA from classes such as the Optimist and Topper.

Coaching will be led by Irish Sailing coach and ILCA 7 Under-21 World Championship bronze medallist Liam Glynn, alongside 2024 ILCA 7 Irish Champion Dan McGaughey.

The initiative follows ILCA Ireland's three-day Pre-Nationals Clinic in Dún Laoghaire in July, which attracted 27 boats, and forms another part of the class association's training programme for developing sailors.

End-of-Season Championships at Dunmore East

Waterford Harbour Sailing Club will then stage ILCA Ireland's End-of-Season Championships on September 12th and 13th.

The event has attracted substantial fleets in recent seasons, with almost 90 boats competing at Royal Cork Yacht Club in 2025 and more than 80 at Malahide Yacht Club the previous year.

International Race Officer Michael Tyrrell will oversee racing at Dunmore East.

Munsters Rescheduled for Baltimore

The domestic programme continues on October 3rd and 4th when Baltimore Sailing Club hosts the rescheduled ILCA Munster Championships. Competitors who entered the originally scheduled championship will receive free entry for the rescheduled event.

Ciarán McSweeney will serve as race officer, bringing extensive experience of racing in Baltimore Harbour to the autumn fixture.

Worlds Inspiration for Young Sailors

ILCA Ireland chairman Sean Craig said the timing of the domestic programme should allow young sailors to build on the interest generated by the world's leading ILCA 7 sailors currently competing in Dún Laoghaire.

"The ILCA Ireland season really clicks into overdrive again, just as the Senior Worlds reaches its crescendo," Craig said.

"I think many of our young sailors will have been inspired by having the Olympians and international stars racing here. Now they can take that motivation out onto the water, regardless of their standard or where they're at in their ILCA careers.

"We're especially delighted to stage the first-ever Transition Clinic for the new recruits we always attract at this time of year."

Published in Laser

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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