Seven Fleets Complete Full Racing Schedule on Day Two in Ballyholme
Competition resumed on Day Two of the Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Nationals at Ballyholme Yacht Club, with all seven fleets getting afloat and completing a solid schedule of racing.
With favourable conditions forecast early, racing was brought forward to 10am to maximise the window before stronger winds arrived later in the day.
In the Optimist fleet, Emily Donagh (Royal St George YC / Lough Derg YC) moved into the overall lead after four races, ahead of Oscar Rowan (Waterford Harbour SC / Royal Cork YC) in second and Holly Cantwell (Royal St George YC) in third.
The RS Feva fleet got their regatta underway after no racing on Day One, completing four races. Ellie Nolan and Niamh Coman (Royal North of Ireland YC) lead, followed by Jessica Dadley-Young and Sally Nixon (Ballyholme YC).
In the ILCA 4 class, Kate Spain (Royal St George YC / Howth YC) now leads after five races, with Adam Green (Lough Erne YC) second and Alex Butcher (Malahide YC) third.
The Topper fleet saw Leo West-Hurst (Ballyholme YC) maintain his lead, while Ben McCaldin (Lough Erne YC) moved into second and Cillian Fitzgerald (Skerries SC) sits third.
In the 420 class, Daniel Coppithorne and Matt Mapplebeck (Royal Cork YC / Schull Harbour SC) continue to lead, with Sean Lemonnier and Killian Matthieu (Galway Bay SC) now second and Niamh Lynch and James Harvey (Waterford Harbour SC / Cumann Seoiltoirea Spideal) third.
The 29er fleet completed four races after missing Day One, with Caoilinn Geraghty-McDonnell and Eoin Byrne (Royal Irish YC / National YC / Waterford Harbour SC) leading, ahead of Louise Hanley and Sebastian Wright (Royal St George YC / National YC) and Juliet Ryan and Ella Rock (National YC / Lough Derg YC).
In the ILCA 6 fleet, Marcus Shelley (Royal St George YC) continues to lead, with Conor Cronin (Malahide YC) second and Joseph Robinson (Ballyholme YC) third.
As forecast, stronger winds arrived early in the afternoon, prompting race management to send all fleets ashore. Conditions will be closely monitored ahead of racing over the weekend to ensure athlete safety.
The Irish Sailing Foundation, title sponsor of the event, plays a key role in supporting the development of sailing in Ireland, helping young sailors progress along the performance pathway towards international competition.
Photo is of Sarah Eagleson of Donaghsdee Sailing Club.
Further photos here - Irish Sailing Library - YOUTH NATIONALS 2026
Links to race results
Sailwave results for Irish Sailing Youth Nationals 2026 at Ballyholme Yacht Club 2026
Sailwave results for 2026 Irish Sailing Youth National Championships 9-12 April 2026 at Ballyholme Yacht Club 2026