Irish Youth Sailors Compete in USA and Denmark
It’s a busy week for Irish Sailing’s youth athletes, with top-level international competitions underway on both sides of the Atlantic.
In Los Angeles, seven young sailors are representing Ireland at the ILCA 6 Youth World Championships, which kicked off Monday at Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club. The regatta, taking place on the same waters that will host the 2028 Olympic Games, runs from 28 July to 4 August.
Competing in LA are Development Squad sailors Lucy Ives (RSGYC), Sienna Wright (Howth YC), Marcus Shelley (RSGYC), Bobby Driscoll (Ballyholme YC), and Conor Cronin (Malahide YC / RSGYC), alongside Eolann Miles and Cormac Byrne from the Royal Cork YC.
Among the ones to watch is Ballyholme’s Bobby Driscoll, who is coming off a strong season including a gold medal at the Irish Sailing Youth Nationals earlier this year. Also in top form is Sienna Wright, a former U17 World Champion who impressed earlier this season with a 36th place finish in the senior Gold Fleet at the prestigious Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma.
Follow the ILCA 6 Youth Worlds here: 2025 ILCA 6 Youth USA – ILCA Worlds Website
Meanwhile in Copenhagen, Denmark, the 49er and 49erFX Junior World Championships run from 30 July to 3 August, with Irish crews competing across three categories.
In the 49er class, Ben O’Shaughnessy (RCYC) and Ethan Spain (NYC) arrive in strong form, having finished 11th at the recent 49er Open Polish Championships in Gdynia, just one place behind Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove.
The 49erFX fleet features Erin McIlwaine (RSGYC / Newcastle YC) and Ellen Barbour (East Antrim BC), who recently placed 5th in the U23 category and 14th overall in Gdynia. Also competing are Lauren O’Callaghan (NYC) and Charlotte Eadie (Ballyholme YC), who finished 12th in their age group and 24th overall in Poland.
In the Open category, Oisin Pierse and Fionn Daly (both RCYC) will fly the Irish flag.
Follow the 49er and 49erFX Junior Worlds here: 2025 Junior World Championship - International 49er Class Association