As the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games begins to take shape, Ireland’s Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove are set to close out their 2025 season at the 49er World Championships in Cagliari, Sardinia, running from today, Tuesday, 7th to Sunday, 12th October.
The double Olympic veterans, who represented Ireland in both Tokyo and Paris, are among the leading contenders in a 96-boat fleet featuring teams from 32 nations.
After a year of consistent progress, Dickson and Waddilove have tailored their training programme over the past three months specifically for the seasonally light wind conditions expected off the Sardinian coast in early October.
“Our weather statistics show that in late September the pressure tends to drop off and it’s not as windy,” explained Irish Sailing’s 49er coach Matt McGovern.
“We’re kind of hedging our bets that it will be lighter; hopefully we’ve got this right.”
The pair have focused on tactical sharpness over pure boatspeed, and even fine-tuned their weight management to adapt to varying conditions. With most of the world’s top crews returning to action after a post-Olympic break, the Irish duo are ready to test themselves against familiar rivals.
“This will be the first big one that everyone is back for,” McGovern continued. “The expectation should be fairly high — outside the top five I wouldn’t be that pleased, because I know the guys can do it and have shown it over and over again.”
Adding to the Irish presence in Cagliari, two development crews from the Irish Sailing performance pathway are set for their senior world championship debuts, following impressive results in recent months.
In the 49erFX class, Erin McIlwaine and Ellen Barbour, who won bronze at the U23 World Championships, will test themselves against the world’s best female skiff sailors.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 49er event, Ben O’Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain, fresh from a third-place finish at the UK National Championships, will use the regatta to build experience and set new personal bests.
“The commitment shown by both of our development crews has paid off ahead of expectations,” said James O’Callaghan, Irish Sailing’s Performance Director.
“We decided to send them to the World Championships a year earlier than planned. This is a building-block regatta. The goal is to improve elements of their racing rather than focus on results.”
Racing in Cagliari begins today with three days of qualification before the top crews advance to the Gold Fleet for the closing rounds of the championship.
Image Credit: Irish Sailing
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Sailing
SPORT FOR BUSINESS AUTUMN EVENTS
On October 14th, our Annual Sport for Social Good Event will shine a spotlight on good work being done through the medium of sport across the country.
Then, on November 20th, a new event focused on Sustainability in Sport will take place, and in December, our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference will take place, in partnership with Lidl.
Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here
Sport for Business Podcasts
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
The Padel Federation of Ireland, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.
This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
