Waddilove deliver Irish double silver

Ireland took a double silver in France as Eve McMahon claimed second in the women's dinghy and Olympians Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove secured the runner-up spot in the men’s skiff at French Olympic Week, the second Sailing Grand Slam of the season.

In the men’s skiff, Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) sailed their final series, consisting of two races, recording a second and a fifth.

They finished the races ahead of both China and France, who they had been battling all week for the top positions.

China took gold and were impossible to catch on points, but the race for silver was tight and effectively became a match between Ireland and France.

Dickson-Waddilove rose to that pressure and executed their two races well with the French pair of Erwan Fischer and Clément Péquin relegated to bronze.

In the women’s dinghy/ILCA 6 it was a full on battle for gold between Ireland and USA with just one point splitting them in the end.

The first race of the series saw McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) finish third behind Charlotte Rose (USA) in second with the final race turning into a showdown between the two.

This is McMahon’s second medal of the Sailing Grand Slam Series in 2026 after a stellar performance in Palma at the Princess Sofia Regatta which saw her take gold.

"It’s a little bittersweet," she said.

"I went into today in first position but dropped down to second by the end.

It was a great battle with the American girl but just not enough to win gold.

I’m happy with my sailing, there’s still a little to learn so we’ll debrief after the event and learn from it and we’ll go into the European Championships better prepared."
In the women’s skiff /49erFX the Northern Irish pair of Erin McIlwaine (Royal St George YC / Newcastle YC) and Ellen Barbour (County Antrim Boat Club) were experiencing their first senior final series and handled the pressure impressively.

They had a fifth in their first race and a third place in the second leaving them in seventh place overall.

A medal was out of reach for them, having come in to the series in 10th position, but they sailed very well, showing a determination and skill that bodes very well for their future and the road to LA 2028.

In the men’s dinghy ILCA 7 Gold Fleet, UCD student Fiachra McDonnell (Royal Irish Yacht Club) completed his regatta in 43rd place overall.

Fellow Development sailors Ben O’Shaughnessy (Royal Cork Yacht Club) and Ethan Spain (National Yacht Club) concluded their week in the 49er Gold Fleet in 20th place overall, with standout results including a race win and a third-place finish in this highly experienced field.

In the Silver Fleet, Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) and Ewan McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) made the most of the week, finishing first and third respectively.

Next up for Dickson, Waddilove, McIlwaine and Barbour will be the 49er World Championships in Quiberon in Northern France from the 12 to 17 May.

The ILCA sailors will take a short break before they go to their European Championships in Kastella, Croatia from 17 to 22 May.