The Sailing Grand Slam series represents the highest level of Olympic class competition every year, bringing together the world’s leading sailors across five major international regattas. For Irish sailors, the 2026 series provides a vital opportunity to compete at the top level, build consistency, and benchmark performance against the world’s best.
The 2026 season begins with the Trofeo Princesa Sofia in Mallorca, running from 30 March to 4 April 2026. Ireland will be proudly represented across multiple classes, including ILCA 6, ILCA 7, 49er and 29er FX.
For event two, the sailors will head to Hyères for the Semaine Olympique Française, taking place from 18–25 April 2026. Another key early-season event, it is known for its competitive racing and varied conditions.
The third event is the Dutch Water Week in Almere, on 30 May- 7 June 2026. This regatta continues the momentum as sailors prepare for the summer peak.
Attention then turns to Kieler Woche in Kiel for the fourth event from 20–28 June 2026. This is one of the largest sailing events in the world, combining elite racing with the long-standing sailing tradition at Kiel.
The series concludes in the United States with the Long Beach and San Pedro OCR in Long Beach, running from 13 July to 8 August 2026. As a venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, this event offers valuable insight into future Olympic racing conditions.
The Sailing Grand Slam remains a central pillar of the international calendar and an important pathway for Irish sailors targeting success on the world stage. For more information and entry details, read more here.