Baltimore Sailing Club

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

Swiftie Wins the 2026 Rope Dock 1720 National Championships in Baltimore

Baltimore Sailing Club was delighted to host the Rope Dock 1720 National Championships from 12–14 June 2026, with 19 boats competing over a superb seven-race series.

The weekend delivered a proper championship test. Friday opened with fresh westerly winds and a high swell. Saturday brought lighter breeze and sunshine, while Sunday finished the event with a challenging fresh easterly — a real test of seamanship, teamwork and consistency.

After seven races sailed, with one discard, Robert O’Leary and the crew of Swiftie were crowned 2026 1720 National Champions, finishing on 18 points.

Overall Results
🥇 Swiftie — Robert O’Leary — BSC — 18 pts
🥈 Rope Dock Atara — Ross McDonald — HYC — 20 pts
🥉 Dutch Gold — Micheal O’Sullivan — KYC/BSC — 22 pts

With just four points separating the top three, the championship remained close right to the final day.

A huge thank you to Race Officer Ciarán McSweeney, working alongside Ruth Cudmore, and to all the mark layers, safety crews, results team, volunteers ashore, sponsors Rope Dock, and everyone who helped make the weekend such a success.

Congratulations to Swiftie, and to all competitors on a fantastic weekend of racing in Baltimore.

13/06/2026

1720 National Championships Baltimore 2026

10/06/2026

Official Welcome for the Nao Santa María in Baltimore Harbour

What a memorable occasion for Baltimore as the magnificent Nao Santa María received an official West Cork welcome following her arrival in Baltimore Harbour.

Representing Baltimore Sailing Club, Commodore Ruth Field formally welcomed Captain Pablo Fernández, Project Manager Desiree González, and the crew of the Nao Santa María, presenting them with a Baltimore Sailing Club pennant as a symbol of friendship, maritime heritage, and the strong connection between seafaring communities.

The exchange of pennants and the hoisting of the Baltimore Sailing Club colours aboard this remarkable replica of Christopher Columbus' flagship marked a proud moment for our harbour and a fitting continuation of centuries-old maritime traditions.

The welcome was attended by:

• Desiree González – Project Manager, Nao Santa María
• Pablo Fernández – Captain, Nao Santa María
• Noreen O'Mahony – Senior Executive Officer, Cork County Council
• Aoife Power – Administrative Officer, Cork County Council
• Cllr. Caroline Cronin – Chair, West Cork Municipal District
• Guitec Danno – Managing Director, West Cork Irish Whiskey
• Dr Noel Lawn – Baltimore Pirate Festival Committee
• Kieran Cotter – Baltimore RNLI
• Tom Bushe – Baltimore RNLI
• Ruth Field – Commodore, Baltimore Sailing Club
• Sarah Sinnott – Executive Engineer, Cork County Council
• Stuart Musgrave – Chair, Baltimore Community Council
• Bill & Ann Hillyard – The Algiers Bar & Baltimore Pirate Festival Committee

Baltimore has always been a harbour that celebrates its maritime heritage, and it was wonderful to see so many local organisations working together to extend a warm West Cork welcome to our visitors.

The Nao Santa María will remain alongside Baltimore's North Pier for public visits over the coming days, offering a unique opportunity to step aboard one of the world's most famous historic ships.

A sincere thank you to the crew of the Nao Santa María for choosing Baltimore as a port of call, and to everyone who helped make their arrival and welcome such a success.

07/06/2026

BSC Sailor Helps Secure International Victory

Congratulations to Baltimore Sailing Club member Harry Durcan, who was part of the crew aboard the TP52 Final Final that secured overall IRC victory in the prestigious 151 Miglia Race in Italy.
Harry joined fellow Irish sailor Will Byrne and an international crew to claim top honours in one of the Mediterranean's leading offshore races, competing against a world-class fleet.
It's fantastic to see a BSC sailor representing West Cork and Irish sailing on the international stage.
Well done Harry and all aboard Final Final on a superb result!

Will Byrne and Harry Durcan help TP52 Final Final win Italy's 151 Miglia race and claim overall IRC honours.

07/06/2026

National 18 Irish National Championships 2026 – Sponsored by O'Mahony Pike.

What a fantastic opening day to the 2026 National 18 Irish National Championships, proudly hosted by Baltimore Sailing Club.

Despite challenging conditions with shifting winds and unpredictable gusts sweeping through Baltimore Harbour, Race Officer Ciarán McSweeney and his race management team expertly managed the course to complete four highly competitive races. The constantly changing conditions tested crews throughout the fleet and ensured an exceptionally close and tactical championship.

With just a handful of points separating many of the leading boats, the racing was intense from the first start gun to the final finish, showcasing the very best of National 18 sailing.

Away from the water, competitors and supporters enjoyed a superb post-racing BBQ courtesy of the Copplestones, providing the perfect opportunity to swap stories from the racecourse and enjoy the camaraderie that makes National 18 sailing so special.

A huge thank you to:

Race Officer Ciarán Mc Sweeney

The mark-laying and safety boat teams

Registration, results and shore volunteers

The Copplestones for the excellent BBQ

All competitors and supporters who travelled to Baltimore

Championship sailing is never possible without the dedication of volunteers, and once again the Baltimore Sailing Club team delivered a memorable day both on and off the water.

Results

🥇 Howlin' Mad – Alex Barry
🥈 Nacho Nacho Man – Charles Dwyer
🥉 Full Irish – David Kenefick