Round Ireland Race

704 Miles Around Ireland: The 2026 Edition Gathers Momentum

Nine foreign boats among the first twelve entries. Americans, British, a Hong Kong-based crew — all coming to challenge the Irish on home waters. The Round Ireland Yacht Race 2026 is already showing, from the moment registrations opened in January, an international dimension that speaks volumes about the appeal of this biennial classic.

Start scheduled for 20 June 2026 from Wicklow, for a complete clockwise lap of Ireland: 704 nautical miles non-stop, all islands left to starboard — except the rock of Rockall, lost in the middle of the North Atlantic. An endurance sprint where tidal currents, Atlantic depressions and rugged coastlines take care of sorting out the crews.

What's at stake goes beyond the prestige of a finish line. Integrated into the RORC championship, the race awards 20 bonus points — a decisive lever for teams playing for the seasonal title. For Class 40, the coefficient is doubled (×2), a sign of the growing prominence of these 40-foot monohulls on the pro circuit.

A Race Born in 1980, Still True to Its DNA

Organized by Wicklow Sailing Club in association with the RORC and the Royal Irish Yacht Club, the Round Ireland has never changed its course since its inception. This consistency offers unique grounds for comparison: elapsed time and corrected time records layer up edition after edition. Legends like Denis Doyle's Moonduster have marked the race's history by setting standards that held for decades.

Now the second-longest race on the RORC calendar — just behind the Rolex Fastnet Race — it welcomes a diverse fleet:

• IRC: the heart of the fleet, divided into several classes by TCC
• Multihulls (MOCRA): offshore racing trimarans and catamarans
• Class 40: a booming category, ×2 coefficient in 2026

A Course That Shows No Mercy

The route demands a fine reading of the elements. After starting from Wicklow heading south, competitors climb the West coast exposed to Atlantic depression systems, negotiate tricky passages around the Blasket Islands and Aran, before returning to the Irish Sea and its powerful tidal currents to complete the loop.

Every tactical choice carries weight. Hugging the coast to shorten the route means exposing yourself to local effects and wind holes. Standing off means lengthening the course in hopes of finding a better wind angle. Over 704 miles, mistakes come at a price.

2026 Regulations: A Demanding Framework

Schedule

• Registration: opened 14 January, closes 31 May 2026
• Inspections and check-in: 17-19 June in Wicklow and Dun Laoghaire
• Skippers' briefing: Friday 19 June
• Monohull start: Saturday 20 June at 1300
• Multihull start: 1310

Safety and Eligibility

Classified Category 2 OSR (Offshore Special Regulations), the race is not open to novices. Requirements are clear:

• At least 30% of the crew (including skipper) must have completed sea survival training within five years
• Minimum one crew member holding first aid certification
• Minimum crew: 3 people in IRC (except Doublehanded class), 2 in multihulls
• Proven offshore experience, capability to handle heavy weather

The Round Ireland Overall trophy is reserved for IRC boats, ranked on corrected time. Multihulls compete under MOCRA rating.

Big Names on the Entry List

As of 7 February, 75% of entries sailed under foreign flags. A cosmopolitan and competitive fleet.

International Side

• HIRO MARU (USA): a classic S&S 49 helmed by Hiroshi Nakajima, member of NYYC and RORC — a seasoned sailor's profile on a characterful boat
• Whiskey Jack (UK/Hong Kong): Nick Southward's modified-rudder J/122, entered under Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club colours, a serious IRC contender
• Bellino (UK): Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600, regular podium finisher in doublehanded on the RORC circuit, back to play for the win

Irish Side

• Cristina: an NMD 43 skippered by John Treanor (Royal Irish YC / National YC), built for pure performance
• Prime Suspect: Keith Miller's Mills 36 Custom (Kilmore Quay Boat Club)
• La Veuve Noire: Mark Wilson's Beneteau First 40 (Galway Bay SC), formidable in a breeze

Class 40, with its doubled coefficient, should attract cutting-edge entries as the registration deadline approaches.

What's Really at Stake in June

The 20 RORC bonus points change the calculation for teams targeting the seasonal title. Impossible to skip the Round Ireland when these points can tip an overall ranking at year's end. The race becomes a must-do, not just a sporting challenge.

Weather will remain the ultimate arbiter. A properly deepened Atlantic depression on the West coast turns the course into a washing machine — advantage to seaworthy boats and solid crews. Light air, and it's the lightweight designs and multihulls that come into their own. The start at summer solstice maximizes daylight hours, but guarantees nothing from Aeolus.

Find the complete offshore racing calendar on spencer.club and compare the entered boats to follow this edition closely.