Irish Sailing Announces Partnership with Mercedes-Benz Ireland
Irish Sailing is delighted to announce a new collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Ireland, which will see the Irish Sailing Performance Team equipped with a fleet of five new Mercedes-Benz vans.
These vehicles will play a vital role in supporting the team’s operations, providing safe and efficient transport for athletes and equipment as they travel to training camps and competitions across Europe.
Commenting, Fergus Conheady, Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager at Mercedes-Benz, said: “We are proud to work with Irish Sailing Association, supporting an organisation that reflects the same values of performance, reliability, and precision that define our van range. Through this partnership, we are delivering practical, premium transport solutions that meet the demands of their operations both on and off the water.”
This three-year support programme has been made possible through the backing of the Irish Sailing Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising funds to support Irish Sailing’s Performance Pathway programmes.
The vehicles included in the partnership are three Mercedes Sprinter 315.36 Crew Cab Vans, one Mercedes Sprinter 315.36 Tourer and one Mercedes Vito 114L Panel Van.
Catherine Tempany, Executive Director of the Irish Sailing Foundation, added: “We have a world-class team, and being able to provide world-class equipment is a significant step forward for our sailors. Our donors are seeing the impact of their support, and investment in people, equipment and facilities continues to drive the strong results we are seeing on the international stage.”
The Irish Sailing Performance Team has made an impressive start to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, securing five senior medals in 2025, including a bronze medal at World Championship level. That momentum has continued into 2026, with a gold medal at the opening Sailing Grand Slam event of the season and two silver medals at French Olympic Week in Hyères, underlining the team’s growing strength and ambition.
As the team prepares for next week’s 49er World Championships in Quiberon, northern France, Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove and FX sailors Erin McIlwaine and Erin Barbour will travel with the support of Mercedes-Benz Ireland.