Roger Craig Moves Into Second at ILCA Master Europeans

24th September 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Irish Challenge: Hugh Delap in ILCA 7 action at the 2026 Master European Championships in La Baule, where Roger Craig has moved into second place in the Master category Credit: Thom Touw

Royal St George Yacht Club sailor Roger Craig has moved into second place in the ILCA 7 Master category at the 2026 ILCA Master European Championships in La Baule, France, after a difficult third day of racing.

Craig is on 22 points after five races, five points behind Greek leader Aristotelis Chatzistamatiou on 17, with Spain’s Leandro Rosado third on 28.

The result advances Craig's challenge after Afloat reported him fourth in the combined Apprentice and Master fleet after Tuesday's opening four races.

Craig is continuing a busy period of international ILCA competition after racing in the 141-boat ILCA 7 Men's World Championship on Dublin Bay in August.

One Race for ILCA 7s

Unstable winds severely restricted Wednesday's programme at La Baule.

Following a postponement ashore, the Delta flag was raised at 12.30pm, but further delays followed on the water as race officials waited for the breeze to settle.

The ILCA 7 fleet eventually completed one race in winds of six to nine knots before the breeze faded. A second race was started but conditions deteriorated before it could be completed.

The result leaves the ILCA 7 fleet with five races completed and Craig firmly in contention in the Master category going into the final two days.

No Racing for Irish ILCA 6s

There was no completed racing for the ILCA 6 fleet on Wednesday.

A race was started in winds varying between four and eight knots, but the breeze died and the race was abandoned. The ILCA 6 divisions therefore remain on four races.

That leaves the positions of the other Irish sailors unchanged from Tuesday, with Marshall King ninth in the ILCA 6 Grand Masters, Darren Griffin 12th and Niall Peelo 15th in the combined Apprentice/Master fleet, and John Curran 26th in the Grand Masters.

Three races are scheduled for Thursday, with the first possible warning signal at 9am.

Race Results

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Published in Laser, RStGYC

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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