Kinsale Yacht Club (KYC) was well represented at the Irish 420 Nationals at Lough Derg Yacht Club (LDYC) by Caoimhe Corkery, Emma Thuillier, Billy Mallin, and Matthew Thuillier.
“Caoimhe Corkery (KYC), sailing with Ríona McMorrow-Moriarty (TBSC), claimed both the 420 Irish National Champion title and the Ladies’ National Champion title.”
Following a successful two-day training camp led by visiting international coach Filippo Mermillod, the 2026 420 Nationals got underway on Friday in light winds and sunny conditions.
The 29-boat fleet, including five visiting boats from the UK, completed three races on a long first day under the careful eye of Race Officer John Corkery (KYC). Cardiff Bay Sailing Club pairing Laragh and Roisin Epstein narrowly ended the day on top, ahead of Caoimhe Corkery and Ríona McMorrow-Moriarty. Bethany Skelding and Thomas Carrig (WFSC) tied on points with defending champions Matt Mapplebeck and Daniel Copithorne (RCYC / SHSC). Local Derg pairing Kate Kovtun and James Love led the Silver fleet, while the Bronze fleet, introduced this year to encourage 13 and 14 year old entrants, was led by Freddie Nelson and Sam Smith (BLSC).
The wonderful volunteer organisers from Lough Derg laid on dinners each evening, and with the majority of the fleet camping on-site, a great sociable atmosphere was enjoyed by all.
Launching slightly earlier on Saturday allowed the race team to complete four races in breezier conditions ahead of the class AGM, where KYC’s John Corkery and Bill Thuillier were re-elected to the 420 National Committee.
With only one race scheduled for Sunday to complete the series, several close battles unfolded across the course as crews jockeyed for final positions ahead of prizegiving. Visiting UK sailors Laragh and Roisin Epstein took overall first place for the event. Caoimhe Corkery and Ríona McMorrow-Moriarty finished second overall, securing their titles as both Irish National Champions and Ladies’ National Champions. Matt Mapplebeck and Daniel Copithorne rounded out the podium in third.
In the Silver fleet, Kate Kovtun and James Love took first, Matthew Thuillier and Mena Sweetman (KYC / WHSC) placed second, and Edmund Fitzmaurice and Jake Molloy (GBSC) finished third.
The Bronze fleet was won by Freddie Nelson and Sam Smith, with Sean O’Doherty and David Evans (LDYC) in second, and Seamus Kennedy and Tom Ryan (LDYC / KSC) in third.
Next on the schedule is the 420 British National Championships in Brixham, starting on 27 August. Of the seven Irish boats travelling to the event, three will feature KYC members onboard.
Full results here: Sailwave results for 420 National Championship 2026 at LDYC 2026
Race Report by: Bill Thuillier & John Corkery – 420 National Committee
