Irish Match Racing National event series announced!
Howth Yacht Club has released its 2025 sailing calendar, featuring an exciting addition: a Match Racing Qualifier supported by the Irish Match Racing Association (IMRA). This event, scheduled for April 12th–13th, will use the club’s fleet of J80s, offering sailors a fantastic opportunity to compete in one of the fastest-growing sailing disciplines in Ireland.
Howth Yacht Club has a proud history of match racing success. Sailors such as Diana Kissane, who represented Ireland on the Women’s Match Racing World Tour, and Jamie McMahon, the IMRA Youth National Champion, have honed their skills in the sport. Hosting this qualifier reaffirms the club’s commitment to fostering match racing talent.
HYC’s J80 fleet is due to be used, The J80 is an exciting sailboat known for its speed and agility. It's designed for both racing and recreational sailing. With its sleek design and lightweight construction, the J80 is easy to handle and manoeuvre making it the perfect match racing platform
In response to the oversubscription of the 2024 IMRA National Championships, IMRA has launched a 2025 National Championship Qualifier Series. These events ensure that entries to the Nationals are reserved for the top-performing teams. With multiple World Sailing Graded Qualifiers, sailors will also have the chance to earn a WS ranking, adding to the prestige of the series.
The first two qualifiers are:
- Qualifier 1: March 15th–17th at the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC), using J80s.
- Qualifier 2: April 12th–13th at Howth Yacht Club, using J80s.
Request for Invitations (RFIs) are now open for these events. Skippers can submit RFIs via the IMRA website, where they’ll also find event-specific NORs and further details.
👉 RFI Forms & Event Details: https://www.irishmatchracingassociation.com/2025series
👉 Online Notice Board: https://www.irishmatchracingassociation.com/onb
Oisin Cullen, IMRA Chairperson, from Red Flag Racing shared his excitement:
"Match racing’s short, high-intensity races make it an exciting discipline for both participants and spectators. It combines in-depth rules knowledge with the technical skill required to manoeuvre keelboats with precision. As the popularity of match racing continues to rise in Ireland, events like this play a vital role in building the sport’s future.”
Follow IMRA on Instagram (@irishmatchracing) and visit their website for updates, RFIs, and event coverage. Don’t miss your chance to join the action in 2025!