The Irish Sailing Senior Squad are preparing for two major World Sailing Championships in 2027, with national Olympic qualification places for Los Angeles 2028 at stake across several classes. World Sailing has published the Notice of Race for the 2027 World Sailing Championships, which will take place across two venues. The ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets will compete in Fortaleza, Brazil, in January, before the 49er, 49erFX, 470 and Nacra 17 classes head to Gdynia, Poland, in July.
The January championships will provide Ireland's first nation qualification opportunity in the ILCA class. Ireland's campaign includes Howth Yacht Club's Eve McMahon in the ILCA 6, alongside Finn Lynch of the National Yacht Club and Howth's Ewan McMahon in the ILCA 7.
After January, attention will then turn to Gdynia, where Ireland's Olympic skiff and mixed-class campaigns will have another important opportunity to progress towards LA 2028. Two-time Olympians Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove are pursuing a third Olympic appearance in the 49er, while Erin McIlwaine and Ellen Barbour continue to develop their 49erFX campaign.
The 2027 championships will also incorporate Para and Inclusive Sailing World Championships in Gdynia, bringing together sailors across a range of inclusive and para sailing classes. Overall, 2027 will be an important year for Irish Sailing's Olympic campaigns as preparations continue towards Los Angeles 2028.