Irish Sailing Team Set for French Grand Slam After Palma Success
The Irish Sailing Senior Team return to international competition next week as the second Sailing Grand Slam regatta gets underway in Hyères, France, from 20 April.
Following her Gold medal performance at the season’s first grand slam in Palma earlier this month, Eve McMahon returns to the water in Hyères as one of the form sailors in the women’s dinghy (ILCA 6) fleet. McMahon delivered a composed and clinical Medal Series performance to secure victory against a world-class field, and after a brief turnaround, will be looking to carry that momentum into the second Grand Slam of the season. All eyes will be on the Dublin sailor as she looks to continue her strong early-season form.
In the men’s dinghy / ILCA 7 fleet, Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) returns to full fitness after illness cut short his Palma campaign and will be looking to make an impact. He is joined by Ewan McMahon (Howth Yacht Club), who narrowly missed out on the Final Series in Palma and recorded a career-best at this event last year. Development Squad sailor Fiachra McDonnell (Royal Irish Yacht Club), also affected by illness in Palma, will be looking to learn as much as possible at this level.
Double Olympians Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Seán Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) represent Ireland in the men’s skiff / 49er class. After a challenging start to the season, the pair added this event back into the schedule to kick start momentum leading into World Championships in May. They are joined by Development Squad sailors and U23 European Champions Ben O’Shaughnessy (Royal Cork Yacht Club) and Ethan Spain (National Yacht Club).
In the women’s skiff or 49erFX class, Erin McIlwaine (Royal St George YC / Newcastle Yacht Club) and Erin Barbour (County Antrim Boat Club) will look to build on a solid showing in Palma, as they continue their development under coach Matt McGovern.
“It’s been a quick turnaround since we finished in Palma. It looks like the squad is back to full strength after a few setbacks. It is an important team event for us as we test all our systems and have the full support team on site. What we learn here will be reflected in our Olympic planning.” said James O’Callaghan, Irish Sailing Performance Director.
This prestigious regatta in Hyères hosts all of the 10 Olympic classes that will be contested at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and will see almost 600 sailors from more than 50 countries take to the water. Racing begins for all classes on Monday 20 April and concludes with a medal series on Saturday 25 April.
The ILCA / dinghy classes can sail up to 12 races in total, followed by a two-race Medal Series. The 49er / skiff fleets can sail up to 15 races, typically three races per day over five days, before finishing with a Medal Series on Saturday. In each class, the top ten boats qualify to compete in the final Medal Series.