Inlands Multihull Championships 2026

Drama, Changing Winds, and Top-Class Racing at the 2026 Irish Multihull Inland Championships

The 2026 Irish Multihull circuit kicked off in spectacular fashion on 16th and 17th May with the Inland Championships, hosted by the fantastic team at Blessington Sailing Club. Early-season racing always tests the resolve of the fleet, and this year was no exception. Competitors were greeted by cold, biting winds and highly changeable conditions, with gusts and shifting breezes bending unpredictably around the surrounding Wicklow Mountains.

Despite the chilly weather, spirits were high as a diverse fleet gathered for the first event of the season. It was wonderful to see such a fantastic spread of multihulls and sailors, ranging in age and experience! Our regional inland rep Philip O’Suillivan regrettably couldn’t join us on the water but made up for it with gusto on the committee boat.

Blessington proved to be exceptional hosts. Experienced Race Officer Joe Crilly did a masterful job in the tricky conditions, setting a challenging windward-leeward course across the lake each day. Backing up the race management was an outstanding safety crew, whose vigilance was highly appreciated given the dramatic conditions.

Overall and C1 Class: McNicholl and Billington Dominant
In the high-performance C1 Class (featuring the F18s and Spitfires), Matt McNicholl and his crew Patrick Billington showed they are already in mid-season form. The duo put on a clinic in handling the mountain gusts, racking up an incredible five bullets across the weekend. Their consistency was so dominant that they were able to comfortably discard their only non-win of the event—a 2nd place.

C2 Class: A Hard-Fought Battle
The C2 Class showcased the multifaceted multihull circuit, proving that cats of all shapes and sizes can line up and compete hard against one another. Featuring a brilliant mix of Darts, Hobies, Topkats, and Catapults, the racing was tight throughout the weekend. Ultimately, it was Ronan Laff and crew Astrid Plass who dug deep, battled hard through the shifts, and deservedly clinched 1st place overall in the category.

Drama on the Water and Junior Success
The combination of early-season rust, freezing temperatures, and sudden gusts brought plenty of drama to the lake. Several boats suffered gear failure as the conditions took their toll, and the cold tested everyone's endurance.
The weekend’s most spectacular moment came on Day 1 courtesy of the junior team, Killian and Cillian, who suffered a massive pitchpole on their Spitfire. Proving their resilience, the young duo shook off the freezing plunge and kept fighting into day two, ultimately earning them the well-deserved prize for Best Junior Team, taking home the Hamilton & Osbourne Trophy.

With a fantastic turnout, a great mix of boat classes, and thrilling racing, the 2026 Inland Championships set a brilliant tone for the season ahead. Huge thanks to Blessington Sailing Club and all the volunteers for launching the season in style! The catamaran fleet is already looking ahead to another spectacular weekend of competitive racing when they hit the water at Swords Sailing & Boating Club for the IMA Eastern Championships on June 13th and 14th.