Stephen Penney successfully defended his Ruffian 23 National Championship title at Carrickfergus Sailing Club after four challenging races in widely contrasting conditions. A fleet of 16 boats contested the championship on June 26-27. Competitors included visitors from Mayo, Wicklow and Dún Laoghaire, with two boats sailing north from Dublin Bay.
Heavy Weather — Stephen Penney's Hot Orange leads the Ruffian 23 fleet off the start line during the final day's near-gale conditions at the National Championship on Belfast Lough
After a short postponement on Friday, Race Officer Trevor Kirkpatrick got racing underway on a windward-leeward course in warm sunshine and light winds. Neil Calvin's Bounder won the opening race for Carrickfergus Sailing Club, ahead of Penney's Hot Orange, while Rory Conlon's Wandering Aengus from Mayo Sailing Club finished third. Penney then took control of the championship with victories in the next two races.
Paul Robinson's Carrageen was runner-up in race two, with Frank Bradley's Ripples of Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club third. Conlon followed with second place in race three, ahead of John Lewis's Icicle.
Conditions changed dramatically on Saturday as south-south-easterly near-gale winds swept across Belfast Lough. Following an ashore briefing, Kirkpatrick elected to race ahead of a forecast increase in wind strength. All 16 boats launched, with several requiring tows from the marina in the strong onshore breeze.
Spinnaker Run — The Ruffian 23 fleet powers downwind under colourful spinnakers on Belfast Lough during the 2026 National Championship at Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Penney rounded the weather mark in front in the final race, chased by Bloodhound, Bounder, Druid and Carrageen. The leading group flew spinnakers on the first downwind leg despite gusts reaching 31 knots, while much of the fleet opted to goose-wing genoas. Several boats broached in the heavy conditions.
Stephen Penney’s broach in race four Photo: Ruffian group
Despite one broach, Penney held his lead to the finish to complete a successful title defence. No boats flew spinnakers on the second lap. Calvin finished second in the race, while Jim Shields' Druid claimed third.
At the prize-giving, Heather Kennedy, daughter of Billy Brown and niece of Ruffian 23 designer Dickie Brown, presented the awards.
Championship Trophy — Heather Kennedy presents the 2026 Ruffian 23 National Championship trophy to Stephen Penney and the Hot Orange crew after their overall victory at Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Overall results:
- Hot Orange – Stephen Penney (Carrickfergus SC)
- Bounder – Neil Calvin (Carrickfergus SC)
- Wandering Aengus – Rory Conlon (Mayo SC)
Runner-Up Honour — Heather Kennedy presents Neil Calvin of Bounder with the runners-up trophy after finishing second overall at the 2026 Ruffian 23 National Championship
Prizegiving Moment — Race Officer Trevor Kirkpatrick (left), Heather Kennedy and Rory Conlon of Mayo Sailing Club at the 2026 Ruffian 23 National Championship prizegiving in Carrickfergus, where Wandering Aengus finished third overall
Frank Bradley's Ripples (DMYC) won the Silver Fleet prize, while Brendan Duffy's Scéal Éile (DMYC) collected the Best Traveller award outside the top three.
Silver Fleet Success — Frank Bradley of Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club receives the Silver Fleet prize for Ripples from Heather Kennedy at the 2026 Ruffian 23 National Championship prizegiving
Traveller's Award — Brendan Duffy of Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club receives the Carmen Trophy for Best Traveller outside the top three after the 2026 Ruffian 23 National Championship
