Ireland’s Conor Cronin finished seventh overall at the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship in Vilamoura, Portugal, after recovering two places on Friday’s final day.
The Irish sailor had gone into the concluding two races in ninth overall on 114 points, as Afloat reported on Thursday, but climbed back up the leaderboard as the 12-race championship came to a close.
Brazil’s Francisco “Kiko” Dal Ri was crowned 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Champion after holding off compatriot Erik Scheidt in their final-day battle.
Brazilian One-Two in Vilamoura
Dal Ri carried a two-point advantage over Scheidt into Friday after the Brazilian pair had exchanged the championship lead during the week.
Despite difficult conditions, race officials completed both scheduled races to give the 60-boat fleet a full 12-race series over six consecutive days.
Scheidt took the silver medal on 63 net points, completing a Brazilian one-two, while Croatia’s Bepo Duplančić moved into the bronze-medal position on 98 points.
Italy’s Lorenzo Ghirotti finished fourth on 101 points, with Portugal’s Kuzey Karis fifth on 111.
Cronin Recovers on Final Day
Cronin’s seventh overall completed a recovery after he had slipped down the standings during the second half of the championship.
He had been as high as sixth after six races before dropping to ninth after Thursday’s racing. His final-day performance moved him two places back up the standings.
Cronin was among six Irish sailors in the 60-boat fleet, alongside Jackson Clark, Patrick Fegan, Jack Ives, Eolann Miles and Max O’Hare.
The championship brought sailors from 18 countries to Vilamoura, with the fleet encountering a range of conditions over the six days.
Leading Final Results
- Francisco Dal Ri (BRA)
- Erik Scheidt (BRA) — 63 points
- Bepo Duplančić (CRO) — 98
- Lorenzo Ghirotti (ITA) — 101
- Kuzey Karis (POR) — 111
7. Conor Cronin (IRL)
