2026 IRC European Championships - Final

Aguila Scorches to Overall IRC European Victory | International Paint Poole Regatta 2026 concludes

Sam Laidlaw's Aguila in action © Paul WyethThere was no racing on the final day of the International Paint Poole Regatta, which hosted the 2026 IRC European Championships. The prevailing south easterly and the sea breeze were unhappy partners, and Poole Bay ended up a flat calm. The orange flag was raised briefly for the Cape 31 fleet when a 5 knot breeze filled in, but it shifted and dropped away to nothing before they could go into sequence. Peter Saxton, PRO for the IRC European Championships, raising AP over A. 

The championships positions remained unchanged from Day Three, with the champions crowned: Malcolm Offord's 'Braveheart' in IRC Zero, the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club team on 'Impetuous' taking the IRC One title after their decisive performance on Sunday, Olly and Sam Love's 'Frank 4' won IRC Two by a handsome margin and Sam Laidlaw and his team from the Royal Yacht Squadron on 'Aguila' put in a near-perfect performance to win IRC Three by as massive 23 points to be crowned 2026 Overall IRC European Champions.

FULL RESULTS FOR 2026 IRC EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

“Winning the IRC European Championship Overall with Aguila is absolutely fantastic," commented Sam Laidlaw. "It is a huge achievement for the whole team and it feels very special to do it in a Quarter Tonner against such a strong fleet. These boats may be small, but they demand a lot from the crew. You have to sail them well every minute, especially in light airs, and this regatta really tested concentration, teamwork and consistency. We sail together a lot and that makes a big difference. Everyone knows their role, everyone contributes, and in a close championship that is what counts.

The regatta itself has been fantastic. The turnout says a lot, and although the weather gave the race team some difficult light airs to deal with, Peter Saxton and the whole race management team did a fabulous job to get the racing in.

“The social side has been terrific as well. It is a regatta that goes from strength to strength and does wonderful things for Poole and for sailing.”

The sailors gathered at the Royal Motor Yacht Club for the well-attended and cheery prize-giving with RORC Admiral Janet Grosvenor awarding the prizes.

Thanks were given to the sponsors, the army of volunteers, the teams at the hosting clubs, and the many visiting teams by Andrew Pearce, International Paint Poole Regatta President, who also commented: "The regatta is held once every two years, and will next be held between 27th and 29th May 2028. Many will already have this marked in their calendar, and will be making their way back to their home clubs to encourage many others to do the same. It really is a regatta to remember for all the right reasons."

Find out more, including the full results, on the official event website, pooleregatta.co.uk