News
2026 shaping up to be a busy year for the 1720 fleet!
The 2026 season promises to be an exciting and competitive year for the 1720 fleet, with a full calendar of major championship events across some of Ireland's premier sailing venues, and renewed enthusiasm throughout the class.
The name “1720” celebrates the establishment date of the Royal Cork Yacht Club at Crosshaven, where the 26ft Tony Castro-designed class was founded more than thirty years ago, and is already into its 2026 Spring series (despite the opening race cancellation due to Storm Eddie) with further racing scheduled for the 1720s on 18th April, 25th April, and the 2nd of May.
Southern Championships at RCYC
The season begins in earnest with the Southern Championships at the Royal Cork on May 16/17th. Although there’s no specific defending champion as it was weather-cancelled last year, for 2026 it’s anticipated that it will set the tone for what is expected to be one of the most competitive years in recent memory. With strong early-season participation anticipated, the Southern Championships will provide the first real test of form for teams targeting silverware later in the year.
However, in the lead-up to this event, crews will have had an excellent opportunity to sharpen their performance during the Royal Cork Spring Series, which has been shown to provide valuable early-season racing and training, with the bonus of the boat being on station for the Southerns in Crosser in mid-May.
National Championships at Baltimore
June sees the fleet travel to Baltimore for the National Championships at Baltimore Sailing Club from June 12th-14th, with Ross McDonald of Howth and the English family from Crosshaven defending the title with their joint venture on Atara.
A venue well known for its challenging tidal waters and tactical racing, Baltimore has consistently delivered competitive racing in recent years, and the Nationals are expected to attract a strong turnout as teams build momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Baltimore Cup
The ever-popular Baltimore Cup follows on 1st/2nd August, with West Cork’s own Fionn Lyden the defending title-holder in a process of continuing Baltimore's central role in the 1720 calendar, while offering another key opportunity for teams to test themselves in high-quality racing conditions during the peak of the summer season.
Baltimore in West Cork is one of the happy places for the 1720 class.
Europeans on Lough Derg
Attention then turns inland in September, when Lough Derg Yacht Club hosts the European Championships on 4th-6th September, with Fionn Lyden of Baltimore again the defender. Racing on Lough Derg presents a different challenge from the coastal events, with variable winds and strategic racing placing a premium on boat speed and tactical awareness. The European Championships are expected to draw strong participation and will be a major highlight of the season.
Easterns at Greystones
The campaigning concludes on 10/11th October with the Eastern Championships at Greystones Sailing Club. This is the first time that the class has held the Easterns as the final major event of the year, and with Julian Hughes of Dunmore East’s Waterford Harbour SC the Title Defender, Greystones will provide a fittingly high note to end the season in potentially testing Autumnal conditions on the east coast.
There is a noticeable sense of renewed energy within the 1720 class heading into 2026. A number of boats that did not launch last year have committed to full campaigns this season, strengthening fleet numbers and increasing the level of competition across all events. Particularly notable among those returning is Dark Side, with Mel Collins at the helm to add further depth to an already competitive fleet.
With a strong championship schedule, excellent venues, and growing participation, the 2026 season looks set to reinforce the 1720's position as one of Ireland's most exciting and competitive keelboat classes. Early-season preparation, tight racing, and a busy championship calendar should ensure a memorable year for sailors and supporters alike.
Photo: Rick Tomlinson/Cork Week
The National Championships at Howth Yacht Club are fast approaching
Get your team entered for this year’s 1720 National Championship.
Join us for what should be an epic event on the waters off Howth.
Entries from 10 different clubs have been received already, in what is shaping up to be an excellent event.
And for those of you considering continuing to the Easterns in Bangor, some boat storage options for between the two events are being worked on too!
Galway Bay Sailing Club to host Aquabroker 1720 European Championships
First major event of the 2025 1720 calendar takes the class to Galway in early May.
Get your 2025 1720 racing season off to the perfect start with what promises to be an exciting and highly enjoyable event on the spectacular waters of Galway Bay, with mighty craic agus ceol onshore in the Galway Bay Sailing Club.
This is the class’ first foray to Galway Bay and we are looking forward to what should be a sensational start to our 2025 season. See you there!
Black Numbers
White Numbers
New Bow Numbers available now!
New 2-digit bow numbers have been allocated to known boats in Ireland. Numbers will be dispatched to the following local representatives by 29th June 2024:
Baltimore
Crosshaven
Galway
Dunmore East
Dublin
- Aidan / Rory
- Fionn
- Brian
- Julian
- Ross
Please link up with local representative by the 29th June 2024 to arrange collection from them.
There are a lot of boats that aren’t racing this year but bow numbers have been allocated to them. All owners are encouraged to get their numbers at this stage as the local representatives are geared up to distribute them at this time, which may not be the case in the future.
Massive thanks to Ross McDonald for the Trojan work he’s done in getting the new numbers system in place.
Don’t forget to purchase the bow numbers in advance!
Ropedock Atara on top at epic Irish 1720 Championships
It was tough, but oh so good!
The 2024 Irish 1720 Championships were held in beautiful Baltimore during 14th-16th June, and treated competing teams to big winds, testing seas and of course some champagne sailing with weary sailors being welcomed back into the tender and most sociable care of our hosts in Baltimore Sailing Club each evening.
Racing was held in three different race areas over the three days, including the inner harbour, as conditions dictated. Race Officer and veteran 1720 campaigner Anthony O’Leary and his race management team, ably assisted by son Rob O’Leary and an enthusiastic cadre of volunteers, managed to pull off a cracking event that had teams buzzing at the end of their weekend. A huge congratulations - and our thanks - to all who organised this terrific gathering.
Yes, Ropedock Atara continued on in 2024 as they had finished their 2023 campaign, but they were kept honest all the way despite the demanding conditions that tested the mettle of teams throughout the 22 boat fleet.
Mark Jardine of Yachts and Yachting was out on the water giving 1720 sailing a lash and certainly seemed to enjoy himself. He penned an excellent article which you can read using the button below, accompanied by spectacular photographs by Deirdre Horgan including the timeless shot opposite. Enjoy!
Photo © Deirdre Horgan
Round the Island in a 1720!
The Round the Island Race takes place this Saturday, 15th June. While the 1720 Nationals are on in Baltimore this weekend, keep an eye out for the Royal Cork Yacht Club 1720 which is heading for Cowes this week to take part in Saturday’s famous, 1000+ boat, 50 mile circumnavigation of the Isle of White.
Best of luck to Alex Barry, Richie Leonard, John Coakley, Blake Walsh, Andrew Lane and Sandy Rimmington.
You can leave a message of support for the team on Facebook here.
“Enhance your practical use of Racing Rules, with Chris Lindsay, International Umpire and Judge”
Irish Sailing’s Racing and Classes Policy group is delighted to announce its upcoming Webinar on 10th April @19:30 , with renowned International Judge and Umpire, Chris Lindsay.
This webinar will be if huge interest to all competitive sailors across all types of dinghies and cruisers so please register your interest and a webinar link will be forwarded to you closer to the time. Please also check in on Irish Sailing Communications Channels for further updates as the event draws closer.
Chris is an International Judge and Umpire from Carrickfergus. He regularly umpires for Olympic class events and professional circuits including SailGP and the M32 series. Chris will be a Jury Member for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in France.
"Are you using rules to your best possible advantage on the racecourse?"
“How can you use the rules to sail yourself out of trouble?”
"Looking for advice on how to manage the Protest Room?"
"What are the benefits of having umpires at events?"
This interactive and engaging webinar will give sailors a valuable insight into the racing rules of sailing and grow your racing experience through rules knowledge. Chris will explain how to use the rules to your advantage on the water and share his insight as an on-the-water umpire.