A strong show from Scotland at this year’s Celtic Cup

Scottish sailors went up against their counterparts from Wales and Northern Ireland for a weekend of close racing
04 Feb 25
Scottish Sailors at the 2025 Celtic Cup

11 sailors from the (RYAS) Scottish Sailing Team made their way across to Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centre in Northern Ireland on Friday (31st January), to go head-to-head against sailors from NI and Wales in the annual, and highly anticipated, RYA Home Country Celtic Cup. 

 

This year, competition was particularly fierce, with 34 talented young sailors vying for the esteemed title of top Celtic nation across two classes – Topper and ILCA 6.

Scotland at the 2025 Celtic Cup

Racing across both fleets was incredibly close. In the end, it was the Northern Irish Sailing Team who secured overall team victories across both Classes; however it was Rohan O’Kane and Dougal Jackson of the Scottish Sailing Team who grabbed 1st and 2nd place in the Topper fleet, a truly stellar performance from both sailors.

Across the ILCA fleet, our Scottish sailors also demonstrated remarkable skill and tenacity, pushing their counterparts to the limits in each race.

You can find the full results on Sailwave now.

Scottish Sailors at the 2025 Celtic Cup

(Credit - Wavelength Image)

Reflecting on the competition, RYA Scotland Pathway Manager Jamie Rogers said:

“What an amazing group of young talented sailors we have in Team Scotland, what stands out above all factors is their sense of team, camaraderie and willingness to support one another. The racing was incredibly tight in each fleet and the skill across all nations was clear to see. RYA Scotland have taken the baton for next year’s event and the challenge is certainly on for winning on home soil”

A big thanks to our other Home Country counterparts RYA Northern Ireland and RYA Cymru Wales for sharing the weekend. We look forward to seeing this tradition continue when the competition comes to Scotland next year.

Key thanks also go to super coaches Clemmie Thompson and Robyn Phillips who were there to support the sailors from start to finish. An important mention also goes to RYA Scotland Head Coach Niamh Harper for the all-important training and groundwork with the Topper fleet ahead of this weekend’s performance.

RYA Scotland recognises the value these women bring as top coaches, but also as stellar female role models for a young fleet of sailors navigating their own journey through our sport.

Scottish Sailors at the 2025 Celtic Cup

(Credit - Wavelength Image)

The weekend certainly proved a key learning opportunity, and not just during competition. On the ferry journey over from Cairnryan in Dumfries & Galloway, sailors and support staff were granted a behind-the-scenes tour of the ferry operations.

This unique experience provided them with insights into the various roles essential to maritime travel, from navigation and engineering, to hospitality and logistics. For many, it was an eye-opening opportunity that highlighted potential career paths within the marine industry they may not have previously considered.

Scottish Sailors at the 2025 Celtic Cup

As the event concluded, the Scottish team returned home, enriched not only by the competitive racing but by the broader experience and connection to top talent from across the home countries.

RYA Scotland is incredibly proud of each and every sailor who flew the flag for Scotland over the weekend, each acting as ambassadors for our sport, underscoring the strength and potential Scottish sailing has to offer.

Want to see the action as it unfolded? Check out images from the weekend online now. For more weekend content, why not check out RYA Northern Ireland on socials?