Howling winds, ‘blowing dogs off chains’, opened Day 1 of the SB20 2026 National Championships at Lough Ree Yacht Club, with a steady 20 knots and gusts of 25–30 knots. Three races were completed on day 1 and four on day 2. Conditions proved less than favourable on day 3, with wind speeds recorded at 25 knots and gusts of up to 40 knots.
Seven races were completed by national teams in windward-leeward format over three days. Excellent representation from clubs across the country gave a great indicator of the health of the SB20 fleet, with teams from RIYC, RCYC, RStGYC, Blessington Sailing Club and HYC.
There might just be a rainbow on the way
Special mention goes to the youth teams helmed by Kate Flood on ‘A Bit Much’ (Under 25 Crew Winner) and Eoghan Duffy on ‘Rockhopper’ (3rd place, Silver Fleet).
WELL CO-ORDINATED
Racing was overseen by Race Officer David Dickson, Alan Algeo and their mothership team, which was incredibly well coordinated and saw each race start in rapid succession without a hiccup, despite the shifty wind conditions.
Day 1 of the event saw quite the shake-up on both the start and finish lines. Leading the Gold Fleet was Nick Doherty (NYC) and his team on ‘Zephyr’. Second place in the Gold Fleet went to Ben Graff (LRYC) and his team on ‘Bango’, and third place went to John Malone (LRYC) and his team on ‘Provident CRM’. In the Silver Fleet, Caolan Crosdale (LRYC) and his team on ‘Reelentless’ finished first. Second place in the Silver Fleet went to Kate Flood (RSGYC) and her team on ‘A Bit Much’, while third place went to Rory Walsh (LRYC) and his team on ‘Sharkbait’.
Calmer times at the 1770-founded Lough Ree Yacht Club, the nearest yacht club to the absolute centre of Ireland
Day 2 saw much lighter conditions, at 10–15 knots with the occasional gust, but conditions remained very shifty. Three races were completed, bringing the Midland Championships to a conclusion and creating quite the shake-up in the results from day 1. First place in the Gold Fleet went to Michael O’Connor and his team on ‘TED’; second place went to Nick Doherty and his team on ‘Zephyr’; and third place went to John Malone and his team on ‘Provident CRM’. First place in the Silver Fleet went to Colin Galavan and his team on ‘Carpe Diem’; second place went to Martin McNamara and his team on ‘Strictly Business’; and third place went to Eoghan Duffy and his team on ‘Rockhopper’.
“We survived….” Prize winners awaiting re-hydration.
Additional prizes and recognitions were awarded to Kate Flood on ‘A Bit Much’ for best U25 team, Charlotte XXXX on ‘Sneaky B’ for best travelling team, Ben Graff on ‘Bango’ for best performing up-and-coming team, and Caolan Crosdale on ‘Reelentless’ as newcomer to the fleet.
After an exhausting couple of days, the crews spent a very enjoyable Saturday evening rehydrating and dining at LRYC, and a fantastic evening was had by all. The SB20 class and Team Lough Ree really know how to put on a good show, both on and off the water!
