The Prestigious Irish Sailing Sailor of the Year title was awarded jointly at the weekend to both Laura Dillon and Olympian Finn Lynch, with Eve McMahon winning Youth Sailor Award for the fourth year running.
Carlow sailor and Olympian Finn Lynch was winning the award for the second year in a row. He was nominated on the basis of his World Sailing number 2 in the world ranking, and Laura Dillon was for her wins at Cowes Week, the Women at the Helm initiative, and her advocacy of women in sailing.
2022 was a record year for Eve McMahon, the 19-year-old who won gold medals at the ILCA6 Youth World Championships in Texas, the Youth Sailing World Championships in the Netherlands, and the European Youth ILCA6 Championship in Greece.
She also claimed silver at the U21 ULCA Youth World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal.
“We are delighted to have a double-win in tonight’s Sailor of the Year,” said Irish Sailing CEO Tim Bourke.
“Finn and Laura represent different parts of racing and it’s great to see two equal winners up on stage inspiring others.”
“Eve’s fourth win of the Youth Sailor Award is a perfect reflection of the year she’s had – three gold medals last year alone. We are also pleased to have 13 awards representing the broad churches of our sport and the recognition of all nominees from the sailing community in these awards is something we can all be proud of.”
Galway Hooker Sailing Club took home the popular Irish Sailing Training Centre of the Year award, having been nominated as winners of the West Region. The two other nominees were Courtown Sailing Club (East Region winners) and Gecko Adventures (winner of the South Region).
The Sustainability Award was won by Ballyholme Yacht Club for their campaign to ensure that their sailing events had as little impact on the environment as possible, and the planting of 700 saplings in their local area.
Royal Western Yacht Club in Clare won the Inclusion Award for their work helping to launch the Irish Sailing accessible fleet of boats and project to introduce children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to sailing.
The Leadership Award went to David Lovegrove, one of this country’s foremost international race officers who has dedicated many years to racing in Dublin Bay and beyond.
Volunteer of the Year went to Colum McCaffery of Malahide Seascouts, and Senior Instructor of the Year Award went to Tim Lowney. The ICRA Boat of the Year was presented to Michael and Richard Evans of Snapshot.
This year’s Awards included three new categories – Club of the Year won by Sligo Yacht Club, the Cruising Sailor Award to Norman Kean, the Irish Sailing Communications Award given to James Roulston Mooney, a journalism student from the University of Limerick who won the inaugural Irish Sailing Future Journalist Prize.
The Irish Sailing President’s Award was given to Ramor Watersports Club in Cavan for their drive to make on the water activity available to all, with wheelchair ramps in their new marina and a new wheelchair-accessible powerboat.
