Irish Sailing Youth Sailor of the Year Shortlist

The Irish Sailing Youth Sailor of the Year Award is given to a young sailor 18 or under who has achieved an excellent performance representing Ireland internationally. 2022 was a stellar year for our young sailors competing across the world with our national anthem being played nearly eight times over the summer alone.

So here are your 2022 Youth nominees...

Eve McMahon, Irish Sailing Team ILCA 6:

Three time Irish Sailing Youth Sailor of the Year winner Eve McMahon gathered a hat-trick of gold medals this summer. The Howth Yacht Club sailor retained her gold at the ILCA6 Youth World Championships in Houston, Texas. The victory added to the gold medals she won at the Youth Sailing World Championships in the Netherlands, and at the European Youth ILCA6 Championship in Greece earlier in July. She also claimed silver at the U21 ULCA Youth World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Rocco Wright, Irish Sailing ILCA 6 Academy:

Another familiar name on the nominee list is Rocco Wright. The Irish Sailing’s Academy sailor, also a product of Howth Yacht Club, closed out 2022 with a neck full of medals. Rocco began his success claiming gold alongside teammate Eve McMahon at the Youth World Championship in the Netherlands in July. He then went on to emerge overall winner of the ILCA6 Men's European Championship in Hyeres, France.

Lucia Cullen and Alana Twomey, 29er Team:

Lucia Cullen (Royal St. George YC) and Alana Twomey (Royal Cork YC) the 29er sailing duo took home gold at the U17 World Championships and overall 3rd place World Champions in Spain this summer. They then added to this with the 29er National Championship title.

Bobby Driscoll, Toppers:

Bobby of Ballyholme YC and member of the Irish Sailing Topper Squad missed gold narrowly to take home the silver medal at the Topper Worlds in Lake Garda after winning the majority of races throughout the event. He then went on to finish second in the British Nationals a week later - an impressive feat for a strong wind sailor in a full week of 5 knots sailing in Weymouth. These results (to be confirmed) gives him the best overall performance for an Irish sailor at the two top Topper events in one season. To round off his year, Bobby finished 1st at the National Championships winning six out of eight races.

Calum Pollard, Toppers:

Another rising star in the Topper Class, Calum claimed gold at the Topper Worlds in the 4.2 class in Riva del Garda. Calum impressed, winning four bullets over 11 races. Calum is from Country Antrim YC.