Wild Cards claimed the 2026 Elmo Trophy after edging Demons 3-2 in a dramatic best-of-five final that went to a deciding race following a marathon weekend of team racing. The 11th edition of the event produced 173 races before the trophy was decided, with Sunday's improved conditions allowing organisers to complete the full programme after Saturday's challenging weather.
Full Stretch: Maximum effort on the rail as one crew balances power and speed through the breeze during another fiercely contested race at the 2026 Elmo Trophy
Racing resumed at 9 am with a revised two-minute start sequence in a westerly breeze of 5 to 12 knots. Fast turnarounds and efficient race management saw around 20 races completed per hour, with each contest averaging just 11 minutes from changeover to changeover. After 10 full round robins, the leading eight teams advanced to the knockout stages. Aft Punk narrowly missed the cut in ninth place but claimed the Elmo Plate.
Crossing Paths: Boats converge in close quarters as crews negotiate another tactical encounter during the fast-paced racing at the 2026 Elmo Trophy
Plate Winners: Team Aft Punk celebrate winning the Elmo Plate after finishing as the highest-placed team outside the main knockout stages at the 2026 Elmo Trophy
The quarter-finals produced an early surprise as overnight leaders Fennel Bay Finns were eliminated by the WHSC Warriors. St Andrews also exited after a closely fought 2-1 defeat.
Quarter-Final Duel: Close-quarters racing during the Elmo Trophy quarter-finals, where tight boat handling and split-second decisions decided which teams progressed to the knockout stages
Wild Cards, Demons, WHSC Warriors and Unsinkable 2 progressed to the semi-finals, with Wild Cards and Demons emerging to contest the final.
Semi-Final Showdown: Unsinkable 2 (blue sails) and WHSC Warriors (orange sails) go head-to-head during a closely contested semi-final at the 2026 Elmo Trophy, with a place in the final on the line
The winning team brought together sailors from Howth Yacht Club, Ballyholme Yacht Club and the host club. Several members had not met before assembling on Saturday morning, but the combination gathered momentum as the weekend progressed.
The final swung dramatically. Wild Cards won the opening two races before Demons fought back to level the series at 2-2, forcing a deciding fifth race.
Final Flight: The Wild Cards and Demons launch into another tense start during a gripping Elmo Trophy final that went the full five races before the Wild Cards sealed victory in the deciding contest
A strong start and a favourable left-hand wind shift on the opening beat proved decisive as Wild Cards sealed victory in the 173rd and final race of the regatta. Twelve-year-old Jonathan Dillon, competing in his first regatta, was among the standout performers for the victorious team.
Podium Finish: Unsinkable 2 collect their third-place awards after an impressive weekend that saw them reach the semi-finals of the Elmo Trophy at the Royal St George Yacht Club
Gallant Challenge: The Demons are presented with the runners-up prizes after fighting back from two races down before narrowly missing out in a dramatic 3-2 Elmo Trophy final at the Royal St George Yacht Club
Trophy Time: Members of the victorious Wild Cards celebrate with the Elmo Trophy after edging out the Demons 3-2 in a thrilling five-race final. Team captain Harry Dunne had already departed to catch a flight and is therefore not pictured in the trophy presentation
Organisers thanked the 28 competing teams and more than 50 volunteers, including race officials, umpires, safety crews and shore teams, for delivering another successful edition of the event. The Elmo Trophy will return on 28-29 August next year.
