It is safe to say that the George Invitational is rapidly establishing itself as one of the premier team racing events in Britain and Ireland. With a history stretching back to 1973, this year’s edition was a landmark occasion — and one that everyone at Royal St. George Yacht Club can be enormously proud of.
Twenty-six teams, six sailors apiece, descended on the club over the bank holiday weekend, with fourteen visiting teams — drawn from the very best clubs across the UK and Ireland — warmly hosted by club members and their friends. That is the George welcome, and it never fails to impress.
Over two days of fierce, fast, and brilliantly contested racing, Principal Race Officer David Bolger and his race management team delivered an astonishing 108 races on Saturday alone, with nearly 200 completed across the weekend in total. Conditions were challenging — light and patchy at times — but the racing was quick, sharp, and utterly compelling to watch. The levels of sailing ability and team racing skill on display were, quite simply, unbelievable.
None of it happens without people, and this event had them in abundance. Over fifty volunteers gave their time and energy across the weekend. Our safety team were world class. Our shore-side changeover team of drivers were brilliant. Our beach team excelled in launching and recovering the fleet, with the Changeover Team & the beach management team keeping everything flowing smoothly. The Boathouse team and all those who worked tirelessly in the weeks beforehand to get the entire fleet serviced and race-ready deserve enormous credit — it was a significant undertaking, done without fuss and done brilliantly.
After nine rounds on Saturday, George Jesters led the leaderboard on a narrow margin heading into Sunday. The final day brought more of the same intensity, with the leaderboard not settled until the very last races — a testament to the extraordinary depth of talent competing this year.
Off the water, the craic was equally mighty. Saturday evening saw the pig on the spit make its first appearance of 2026, with a wonderful barbecue and barbeque bringing competitors and volunteers together in fine style. Entertainment followed, with live music and some spirited karaoke — before the piano was rolled into the Members’ Bar for a night of traditional Royal St. George fun that will not be forgotten in a hurry.
The George Invitational continues to demonstrate exactly why it holds such a cherished place in the team racing calendar — combining top-class competition, exceptional race management, and the warm hospitality that makes this club so special. Royal St. George truly is, and continues to be, a home of team racing in Ireland.
Full results and the final leaderboard are available on Raceflow, the event management platform created by club sailor Russell Bolger.
A sincere and heartfelt thank you to every single volunteer, organiser, and helper who made this event the resounding success it was. You know who you are.
The 2027 George Invitational takes place on 22–23 May 2027. Mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss it.
RSGYC GI MAY 2026 – Google Photos
