The 2026 schools sailing season is off to a flying start, with a series of regional championships already delivering high-quality racing, strong participation, and exciting competition across the country.
In Leinster, a record-breaking 19 teams and 114 sailors took to the water for one of the largest events in the schools sailing calendar. After more than 70 races, the championship came down to a dramatic tie-break and sudden-death final, with St Andrew’s College claiming victory ahead of The Institute, while Gonzaga College secured third place. The event also welcomed a strong debut performance from Campbell College, who progressed to the quarter-finals.
Munster followed with an equally competitive championship at the Fastnet Marine Outdoor Education Centre in Schull. Fifteen teams and 90 sailors completed a full schedule of 60 races in testing conditions. Schull Community College dominated proceedings, taking both first and second place, while Christian Brothers College Cork secured third after a tightly contested tie-break. The event also marked the first competition under the Irish Schools Sailing banner, with new schools joining the fleet.
The Connacht–Ulster Championships in Galway City Sailing Club marked a welcome return for the event, where five teams competed in challenging conditions. A full round robin series resulted in a three-way tie, with Coláiste Éinde emerging as winners ahead of Colasanctius College.
Attention now turns to the Irish Schools Sailing National Championships, taking place on 25–26 April at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire, where the best school teams in the country will come together for the season finale.