An extremely successful 2026 IRC European Championship took place during the International Paints Poole Regatta, on the south coast of the UK, over the May Bank Holiday weekend with high pressure bringing light winds and temperatures of up to 30°C. A varied fleet of 52 boats ranging from TP52s to classics and quarter tonners, competed across four classes, enjoying an incredible few days of racing on the water and demonstrating the diversity of boat types racing competitively under the IRC rule.
An important feature of this regatta was pre-event equipment inspection. A team of measurers completed comprehensive checks on the eve of the event, ensuring that boats complied with their IRC certificate data. Sailors welcomed the inspections, which benefit everyone: those who win can accept their prizes with a clear conscience, while those who don’t can be satisfied that the winners won fairly.
Competitors enjoyed racing on three of the scheduled four days, including a mixture of windward-leeward and round-the-cans races, managed by PRO Peter Saxton. Despite the light winds and no racing possible on the final day, eight races were completed and the close results saw a variety of boats top the results tables each day.
The standout performance came from Sam Laidlaw’s Quarter Tonner Aguila with an almost flawless performance in IRC Three, which saw them crowned overall winners of the IRC European Championship and recipients of the Canford Cup. Other class winners were Malcolm Offord’s TP52 Braveheart in IRC Zero, Ben Hodges’ Corby 37 Impetuous taking the IRC One title, and Olly and Sam Love’s J/109 Frank 4 victorious in IRC Two.
RORC Admiral and former RORC Racing Director Janet Grosvenor presented the prizes at the Royal Motor Yacht Club on Monday evening, at a well-attended prizegiving which proved the perfect culmination of the weekend’s racing and full social programme.
Andrew Pearce, Regatta President, was delighted after a very busy few months of preparation for this special event: “What an outstanding regatta we have enjoyed. I have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from so many competitors.”
Final report: https://www.rorc.org/2026-irc-european-championships-final
For full results see: https://pooleregatta.co.uk/
Aguila, IRC European Champion 2026