Irish Optimist Sailing Dinghy News & Regatta Results
The Junior Friday series resumes this Friday after a short break during the June bank holiday weekend. Over 60 young dinghy sailors from the waterfront clubs have completed 6 competitive races to date and are looking forward to resuming racing…
Ireland's top young Optimist sailors have been officially launched for the 2026 World and European Championships following a team presentation at the National Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire. The ceremony took place over the June Bank Holiday weekend and coincided…
The CH Marine Ulster Championships launched the 2026 IODAI season at Strangford Lough Yacht Club in Whiterock, Co Down, over the weekend. A total of 123 sailors competed across the Senior, Junior and Regatta fleets in a varied weekend of…
Life coming full circle is always a moment marked by both happiness and quiet excitement. After spending my youth—and well into my twenties—on the water more than on land, returning to my club years later felt deeply significant. Back then,…
Ireland’s top Optimist sailors have been selected for the 2026 international competition following a demanding Youth Nationals at Ballyholme Yacht Club. Strong winds dominated the four-day event, testing both competitors and race officials. Irish Sailing Coach Development Officer Liam Glynn…
Champions Crowned as Irish Sailing Youth Nationals Close After Testing Finale
12th April 2026 Youth Sailing
The Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Nationals concluded on Sunday, 12 April, after four days of challenging and changeable conditions at Ballyholme Yacht Club in Northern Ireland. Race officials advanced the first warning signal to 10 am on the final day…
Ireland’s young dinghy sailors were tested across a wide range of conditions in the 2026 Optimist Sprint Series, held over three legs in February and March. More than 40 sailors from Senior and Junior Main Fleets competed, with racing hosted…
Howth Yacht Club’s much-loved Brassed Off Cup is back and set to sail in just a few weeks on Good Friday, April 3rd. The event promises the perfect spring shake-off for Optimist sailors, kicking off the season with energy, excitement, and friendly…
The Irish Optimist dinghy class has released its 2026 sailing season schedule, outlining a mix of regattas, training camps, and championship events across the country. The calendar kicks off with the Sprint Series in February and March. This comprises three…
Maeve Donagh Wins at Halloween Regatta as 120 Sailors Conclude Season at IODAI Optimist Training Week 2025
4th November 2025 Optimist
Three packed days of sailing, fun and friendship brought the 2025 season to a close at Lough Derg Yacht Club, as 120 Optimist sailors took part in National Training Week under the guidance of Lead Coach Dara O’Shea and his…
Sailing advocate and philanthropist Greg Bertish has been announced as a keynote speaker for the World Sailing Development Symposium. The session, titled “My Hero: Optimism, the Ocean, and the Power of Sailing”, will take place on Tuesday, 4 November 2025,…
Mervue Optimist October League Opens with Competitive Races at Royal Cork
14th October 2025 Optimist
The Mervue Optimist October League commenced on Sunday, October 12th, on Cork Harbour's Curlane Bank. More than 35 Optimist sailors took part in this season-closing series at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Supported by sponsorship from William Twomey and his…
Kinsale, County Cork served up a wild one for the final regional of the season, as 185 young sailors from across the country gathered at Kinsale Yacht Club for the Optimist Munster Championships. Sponsored by Axiom Private Clients and MyMortgages.ie,…
The forecast was certainly not too encouraging for the launch of the National Yacht Club Autumn training programmes, and it is certainly not the J cup participants who would argue with it, as videos and photos of Saturday's race proved.…
Maeve Donagh Crowned Irish Optimist National Champion at Lough Ree Yacht Club
19th August 2025 Optimist
198 sailors across four fleets for four days of sun-soaked racing deliver standout performances across all fleets at the 2025 Irish Optimist Nationals Maeve Donagh (RStGYC/LDYC) has been crowned Irish Optimist National Champion after an impressive showing at the 2025…
SeaZe the Bay RIYC Junior Regatta Makes Waves – Over 115 Young Sailors Set Sail
25th July 2025 Royal Irish Yacht Club
Dún Laoghaire Harbour was buzzing with colour, competition, and inter-club spirit on Wednesday, 23rd July, as over 115 young sailors took to the water for the Royal Irish Yacht Club’s annual Junior Regatta – sponsored by SeaZe The Bay. Optimists,…
