St Andrew’s College Wins Fifth Successive Leinster Schools Team Racing Title

19th October 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Five in a Row – St Andrew's College secured a fifth successive Leinster Schools Team Racing title as 16 teams competed at the Royal Irish Yacht Club on Dublin Bay, with the Institute of Education second and Kilkenny College third Credit: Rob Micallef

St Andrew’s College continued its dominance in Leinster schools team racing on Sunday, 18th of October, securing its fifth successive provincial championship at the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) on Dublin Bay.

Sixteen teams took part in the 2026 Irish Schools Team Racing Leinster Championships, with favourable breezes providing the conditions for a full day of competitive racing. The Institute of Education finished second, while Kilkenny College completed the podium in third place.

St Andrew’s Continues Championship Run

Having won the Leinster title in each of the previous four years, St Andrew’s College entered the championship seeking to extend its winning sequence. The team maintained its record with another victory, securing a fifth consecutive title in a competition that tests sailors' boat-handling, tactical awareness and teamwork.

Team Spirit – St Andrew’s College claimed a fifth consecutive Leinster title ahead of the Institute of Education and Kilkenny College, highlighting the strength of schools team racing in the province. Photo: Rob Micallef

The Institute of Education provided strong opposition to finish runner-up, while Kilkenny College, which has previously enjoyed championship success, secured third place.

The results underline the strength of competitive schools sailing in Leinster, with established programmes continuing to develop young racing talent.

Sixteen Teams Compete on Dublin Bay

The championship brought together 16 school teams for a day of racing in excellent conditions off Dún Laoghaire.

Fleet Tactics – Sixteen teams contested the 2026 Irish Schools Team Racing Leinster Championships on Dublin Bay, with excellent sailing conditions providing a competitive setting for the provincial title. Photo: Rob Micallef

Unlike conventional fleet racing, team racing emphasises cooperation between boats, with sailors working together to secure the best combined result for their school. Tactical positioning, close-quarters manoeuvring and rapid decision-making are central to the discipline, giving young sailors a chance to develop skills that extend beyond individual boat performance.

The Royal Irish Yacht Club hosted the event, welcoming competitors, teachers, coaches and supporters for the provincial contest.

Volunteers Help Deliver Leinster Championships

The organisers acknowledged the volunteers who supported the championship, from race management to the shore-based teams responsible for delivering the event. The organisers also thanked Race Officer Ronan MacDonell, who oversaw the racing.

The championship concluded with St Andrew’s College celebrating another Leinster title, extending its winning sequence to five years and maintaining its position at the forefront of schools team racing in the province.

Published in Team Racing, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Youth Sailing

Published in Team Racing

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About Team Racing

Team racing in sailing is an exciting, strategy-focused format where two teams, usually with three boats each, compete to achieve the best combined score by the end of the race. Unlike fleet racing, where individual performance matters most, team racing emphasises teamwork, tactics, and boat positioning to outmanoeuvre the opposing team.

Each team typically has three boats, often two-person dinghies like the Firefly class. The boats from each team are distinguished by their unique sail colours or numbers.

Points are assigned to finishing positions, with 1 point for 1st place, 2 points for 2nd place, and so on. The team with the lowest combined score wins. The target is to achieve a "winning combination" of points. In a six-boat race (three per team), winning combinations include scores like 10 points or less for a 1-2-6 or a 2-3-5 finish.

Teams can slow down or block opposing boats, especially in an advantageous position. A boat ahead can "cover" an opponent, manoeuvring to block the wind and slow them down.

Teams often employ manoeuvres to help slower boats catch up or pass opponents, switching positions if needed. This keeps the team in a winning configuration.

At key turning points, boats can execute mark traps, where they intentionally slow down or position themselves to block opponents, forcing them into bad turns or causing them to lose speed.

Team racing follows standard sailing rules but with some additions tailored to team tactics. For example, a "fouling" boat (one that breaks a rule) must complete a penalty turn or even multiple turns, depending on the rule violation. Penalty management is crucial as it can make or break a team's success in the race.

Constant communication is key as team members coordinate strategies, adjust for wind shifts, and adapt to changes in the race. They signal intentions, warn of opponents' moves, and ensure every team member’s position is optimized.

In short, team racing combines fast-paced sailing with strategic teamwork. While speed is essential, winning often depends more on positioning, communication, and the ability to execute effective tactics as a team.