Source: Ballyholme Yacht Club.
Bangor will take on an international air this summer when 370 youth sailors representing 27 European countries, and as many as 11 non-European countries arrive to compete in the 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships and Open European Trophy, hosted by Ballyholme Yacht Club.
During competition week –27 July to 3 August 2024– visitors and residents will be able to enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of sailing dinghies on the water while strolling along Bangor’s beautiful waterfront between the Bangor Marina and Ballyholme Yacht Club.
News with results, photos and videos will be daily published on the official event website as well as EurILCA’s social media channels.
The event is shaping up to be Northern Ireland’s largest ever sailing event and with racing taking place every day, weather permitting, there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy this nautical spectacle.
The success in hosting such major events hinges on the generous contributions of BYC volunteers, the support of other sailing clubs, the local community, Ards and North Down Borough Council and our industry sponsors who together make this event possible.
Event schedule
26.07 – 28.07
Equipment Inspection / Race office open / Registration
28.07
18:00, Welcome ceremony and buffet meal
29.07 – 03.08
6 days of races / 2 races per day / 12 races scheduled (Qualifying/Finals)
03.08
18:30, Prize giving ceremony and buffet meal
Read the Sailing Instructions for full details.
How to follow the event – Results and information
News with results, photos and videos will be daily published on the official event website as well as EurILCA’s social media channels: Instragram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. You’re also invited to subscribe to EurILCA’s newsletter and join the Informations channel on Telegram.
About the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships – The Road to the Olympics
The ILCA 6 Youth European Championships is one of several annual championships organised by the European ILCA organisation, EurILCA, with other championships serving different age groups and different classes of sailing dinghy. The ILCA 6 is a single-handed Olympic class dinghy, formerly known as a Laser Radial. The Youth Championships are for competitors aged 15-19 years old.
Success at the European championships is an important step for the young sailors in their journey towards representing their countries at the Olympics. As such, more than 490 applications have been received for the 385 coveted places available!
Success at the European championships is an important step for the young sailors in their journey towards representing their countries at the Olympics.
As a true representation of a European championship, applications have been received from 28 countries across Europe with close to 140 female entries and more than 350 male entries. Entries have also been received from young sailors hailing from Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand, Qatar and Brazil, providing an indication of the importance of the event.
As well as the several hundred youth sailors, Bangor will welcome close to 100 accompanying coaches and many more supporting family members and friends.
While the event itself takes place from 27 July through to 3 August 2024, competitors will arrive early to familiarise themselves with the sailing conditions, and it is anticipated that many will stay after to enjoy visiting the region’s attractions. Expect a vibrant international buzz in Bangor this summer!
Sustainability at the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships
We are proud to say that the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships will be run as a ‘Clean Regatta’, following Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas guidelines.
As sailors and water sports enthusiasts, Ballyholme Yacht Club is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment.
As sailors and water sports enthusiasts, Ballyholme Yacht Club is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment. We have written our Sustainably Policy along the guidelines of Sailors for the Sea and RYA’s The Green Blue programme. In addition, we hold platinum level Clean Regattas Certification and Final Straw Certification, all of which aligns with EurILCA’s Sustainability Programme values and has put BYC in an excellent position to meet EurILCA’s sustainability requirements.
In conjunction with Ulster Wildlife, we will be running a Beach Clean Competition and hosting an Ulster Wildlife talk on our local sea life and a fascinating update on the Bangor Marina Oyster project as part of the event.
Information for our Visitors
We are fortunate enough to be situated in a very beautiful part of the world, and there is plenty to see and do in the city of Bangor, in Ards and North Down as well as in Northern Ireland and indeed, the whole island of Ireland.
Bangor
- Pickie Fun Park (suitable for young children)
- North Down Museum
- Eddie Irvine Sports
- Airtastic Inflata and Ninja Indoor Play Area
- Stunning Coastal Walks along Belfast Lough and towards Groomsport
- Open House Festival
- The Ark Open Farm
Ards and North Down
- Boat trips
- Kayaking adventures
- Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit
- Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary
- Mount Stewart Estate and Gardens
- Ulster Folk Museum
- Ulster Transport Museum
- Scrabo Tower
- Castle Espie Wetland Centre
- Grey Abbey
- Golfing
Northern Ireland
- Titanic Experience Belfast
- Giants’ Causeway and the Causeway Coastal Route
- Game of Thrones Studio Tour
- Hillsborough Castle, a Royal Palace
- St Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick
- The Mourne Mountains
- Fermanagh Lakelands
- The Historic Walled City of Derry Londonderry
Details about activities and experiences to enjoy in Bangor and the wider Ards and North Down area can be found on the official Ards and North Down visitor website – Visit Ards and North Down. In addition, the Visitor Information Centre Visitor holds a range of information leaflets and the Visitor Centre team are more than happy to advise visitors and participants on things to do in the area in their spare time. The Visitor Information Centre is located close to Bangor Marina at Tower House (recognisable by its tower), on Quay Street facing the marina.
For information about activities and experiences in Northern Ireland, please visit Discover Northern Ireland.
Accommodation
There is a wide variety of accommodation options available for visitors:
- Hotels, guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts: search for availability on the Visit Ards & North Down website
- A championship motorhome park and campsite close to Ballyholme Yacht Club
- Lorne Estate and Ganaway Activity Centre also offer camping, glamping and group accommodation.
More information can be found in the accommodation section of the official event website.
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to an exciting summer ahead. For more information about the 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships and Open European Trophy please visit the event website.
Source: Ballyholme Yacht Club.
