Following on from a busy 2023, the Irish ILCA fleet is looking forward to an exciting year in 2024, both at home and abroad.
Next season's ILCA championship calendar is taking shape with events in some of Ireland’s top sailing locations throughout the country.
ILCA IRELAND 2024 CALENDAR
- 30th - 31st March 2024 Munster Championships Baltimore Sailing Club
- 27th -28th April 2024 Connaught Championships Lough Ree Yacht Club
- TBC Masters Championship TBC
- 22nd - 23rd June 2024 Ulster Championships County Antrim Yacht Club
- 6th - 7th July 2024 Leinster Championships Waterford Harbour Sailing Club
- 27th – 3rd August 2024 European ILCA 6 Youth Championships Ballyholme Yacht Club
- TBC National Championships TBC
Irish ILCA sailors represented the class well internationally this year, with Finn Lynch securing Irish representation in ILCA 7 for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Eve McMahon added to her long list of sailing achievements with a gold at the Under 21 ILCA 6 worlds in Tangier, Morrocco.
Eve McMahon added to her long list of sailing achievements with a gold at the Under 21 ILCA 6 worlds in Tangier, Morrocco
At the same time, Sienna and Rocco Wright both podiumed in Youth Worlds and Europeans and in December Sienna won bronze at the Youth World Championships.
In December Sienna Wright won bronze at the Youth World Championships in Brazil
Nationally, there was a remarkable turnout to regional events this year, with over 103 boats racing in the Munster Championships on Easter weekend in Baltimore.
The ILCA is clearly a boat for life with strong master's representation at many of the events and 50 boats sailing at the Masters Championships in the Royal St. George in June.
After five championship events, Jonathan O Shaughnessy, Colin Leonard and Rory Lynch topped the ILCA 7 national ranking, while Patrick Hamilton, Tom Coulter and Fiachra McDonnell took first, second and third, respectively, in the ILCA 6. ILCA 4 was led by Lucy Ives, Patrick Foley and Liam Duggan.
Johnathan O'Shaughnessy of the Royal Cork Yacht club leads the Irish National Rankings for 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman
The ILCA fleet was also represented in the Champions Cup by Jamie McMahon, Fiachra McDonnell and Finn Lynch and in the Junior Champions Cup by Liam Duggan, Patrick Foley and Megan O’Sullivan. Tricky light winds saw the schedule of races for the annual event cut short on the Shannon Estuary. After just three races sailed in two days, Finn lifted the trophy with brother Rory and Carol Martin in the single-race final round.
The coming year is taking shape, with large numbers expected to participate in the European ILCA 6 Youth Championships in Ballyholme Yacht Club and in regional events starting in Baltimore on March 30th and 31st, 2024.
ILCA 6 sailors working hard at the National Championships in Howth Photo: Annraoi Blaney
There is much ILCA sailing still happening, with frostbites nearing the end of their Autumn Series in Ballyholme, Dun Laoghaire, Howth and Cork. Most series will start in early January, so if you aren't already, sign up now and be ready to race in Baltimore this Easter.
As we plan for next year, the association would like to say a massive thank you to all the clubs and volunteers who made this a season to remember. We are 100% a volunteer association, and all of our events are run by volunteers in local clubs.
According to a class spokesperson: "The ILCA’s strength is its accessibility with rigs to fit all sizes, abilities and ages. It is a universal fleet where men and women, youths and masters can compete together, and as the class nears 250,000 boats built, no matter where you sail, you are bound to find another keen ILCA sailor".
"If you would like to get involved in this ever-expanding class, please contact the class association at [email protected] for more information. We have boats and sailors in all regions who can help with advice and training for all levels", the class says.
"Also, if you are interested in buying a boat, there are a number for sale second-hand or contact the Irish ILCA official dealers, Viking Marine, Dun Laoghaire and CH Marine, Cork".
