The Irish Sailing Youth National Championships 2026 took place from 9-12 April at Ballyholme Yacht Club, bringing together the country’s top young sailors for four days of high-level racing and development.
This year’s championship was defined by challenging and changeable conditions on Belfast Lough, with strong and gusty winds impacting racing across the fleet. The opening day saw racing cut short due to blustery conditions, with safety taking priority as race officials stood fleets down early.
Throughout the week, sailors were tested not only on performance but also resilience. One full day of racing was lost due to weather, while the final day saw attempts to maximise racing before a hail squall forced fleets ashore. Despite this, organisers successfully delivered competitive racing across multiple classes, ensuring a meaningful championship for all involved.
In the 29er class, Caoilinn Geraghty McDonnell and Eoin Byrne secured overall victory, with results standing from earlier racing after further races could not be completed. In the ILCA 6 fleet, Conor Cronin took first place following a strong and consistent performance, while Kate Spain claimed the ILCA 4 title.
The Topper class saw an impressive display from Leo West-Hurst, who maintained his lead throughout the series to take the win. In the RS Feva, Ellie Nolan and Niamh Coman came out on top of their class.
Across all fleets, the standard of racing was high, with sailors demonstrating strong technical ability, tactical awareness and determination in demanding conditions. The event also highlighted the importance of adaptability, with time ashore used effectively for coaching sessions, debriefs and sailor development when racing was not possible.
Beyond results, the championship once again proved its value as a key milestone in the youth sailing pathway. It showcased the depth of talent emerging across Ireland and reflected the significant work put in by sailors, coaches and clubs over the winter months.