Gold Standard: Eve McMahon Wins ILCA 6 at Princess Sofia Regatta
Eve McMahon delivered one of the standout performances of the Easter weekend, claiming gold in the ILCA 6 class at the prestigious Princess Sofia Regatta in Mallorca.
Competing in a fleet of more than 100 of the world’s leading sailors, McMahon produced a composed and consistent series, before delivering under pressure in a dramatic final race to secure victory.
Gold Decided by the Finest Margin
The regatta came down to a head to head battle in the medal race, with McMahon and Great Britain’s Daisy Collingridge separated by the narrowest of margins.
Entering the medal race firmly in contention, McMahon delivered a race winning performance to secure the title by just one point.
Speaking after the race, McMahon reflected on the decisive moment:
“When I crossed the finishing line I couldn’t believe it. I just went on the hunt.”
Her ability to shift from control to attack in the final race proved decisive in a tightly contested regatta.
A Major International Benchmark
The Princess Sofia Regatta is one of the most important events on the Olympic sailing calendar.
It features over 800 boats and 1400 athletes across classes, including one of the strongest ILCA 6 fleets in the world. It is also a key early season marker in the LA28 Olympic cycle.
For Ireland, the result is particularly significant. It is the first Irish victory at the event in a decade, achieved in one of the most competitive Olympic classes and delivered through consistency across the full series.
Irish Sailing Performance Director James O’Callaghan welcomed McMahon’s result:
“This is a hugely significant achievement for Eve and a clear demonstration of what Irish sailors can do,” he said. “Competing against the very best in the world, she showed exceptional composure throughout a challenging week, staying calm, consistent and making smart, strategic decisions. It was hugely impressive.”
This result reinforces McMahon’s position as a front of fleet ILCA 6 sailor. It highlights her ability to convert ranking into race winning performance and marks her continued progression toward consistent contention at major championships.
The focus now shifts quickly to the next major test on the international calendar. The Irish team will return to action later this month at the second Sailing Grand Slam event of the year in Hyères, France (18-25 April)
More Team Ireland News
IN THE NEWS – JUNE 2ND 2026
In another strong weekend of results, Irish athletes delivered on the world stage. Rowing: Three Medals for Ireland at World Rowing Cup I Rowing Ireland made an impressive start to the international season at World Rowing Cup I, returning from Seville with three medals and a series of strong early‑season performances across the squad. Medal [...]
Badminton Ireland Sets Out Pathways for Dakar 2026, European Games 2027 & LA28 Olympic Qualification
Irish badminton is entering one of its busiest and most important highperformance cycles in recent years, with athletes across both pathway and senior levels preparing for a demanding run of major international events. With qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games beginning next year — running from 3 May 2027 to 30 April 2028 [...]
OFI Athletes’ Commission Begins Cross‑Departmental Dialogue on Athlete Tax Supports
Meeting with Department of Finance and An Tánaiste’s policy team highlights shared commitment to improving the system for athletes The Olympic Federation of Ireland Athletes’ Commission was delighted to begin discussions today with senior officials from the Department of Finance and members of An Tánaiste’s policy team, as part of ongoing efforts to explore how [...]
Team Ireland Set for Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026
Team Ireland is preparing for an exciting milestone on the Olympic pathway as we look ahead to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. This is the first Olympic event ever to be hosted on the African continent. The Games take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together the world’s best young athletes [...]
IN THE NEWS – MAY 25TH 2026
In the News – Team Ireland Round‑Up 25th May 2026 Irish athletes delivered standout performances across multiple sports this week, with personal bests, podium finishes and major milestones on the international stage. Sailing A superb week in Croatia saw Eve McMahon win U23 gold and finish fourth overall at the ILCA European Championships. In the [...]
In The News – May 18th 2026
Athletics Mark English made history with a landmark performance in the 800m, surging to victory in a meeting record time of 1:43.85 at the Shanghai Diamond League. The Donegal athlete becomes the first Irish male to win a Diamond League race, adding his name to a growing list of Irish winners on the circuit alongside [...]
Dan Kennedy RIP
Today, a man whose guidance helped shape generations of Irish athletes, including several Olympians, was laid to rest. Dan Kennedy, known to most simply as “DK”, was far more than a PE teacher. He was a mentor, innovator, coach and trusted voice whose influence stretched quietly but profoundly across Irish sport for more than five [...]
€60,000 COMMUNITY FUND LAUNCHED THROUGH SPAR & EUROSPAR PARTNERSHIP WITH OLYMPIC FEDERATION OF IRELAND
Olympic Federation of Ireland welcomes expanded partnership investment into local clubs nationwide. A €60,000 fund has been created for clubs as part of SPAR and EUROSPAR’s partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, providing new support for grassroots sport and community participation across Ireland as Team Ireland builds toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and [...]
LA28 Latest News
Your essential guide to Olympic qualification, leadership updates, and ticket access The journey to Los Angeles 2028 is gathering momentum for Team Ireland, and there are three major updates every supporter should know. The schedule of Olympic qualification events for 2026 is now centre stage, providing athletes and fans alike with a clear path ahead. [...]
Mona McSharry confirms she is aiming for LA 2028
No one knows how they will respond when they’ve fulfilled their life’s work and ambition and finally ascended an Olympic podium. So Mona McSharry’s soul-searching in the aftermath of her historic 100m breaststroke bronze in Paris was inevitable. Achieving her dream at the age of 23 brought acclaim and validation but would her Olympic medal [...]
LA28 Qualification Dates in 2026
ROAD TO LA ALREADY UNDERWAY! 2026 marks the beginning of the qualification journey for many sports as they look ahead to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Qualifying for the Games, which take place from 14–30 July 2028, is challenging across all disciplines. Most sports require either direct qualification through specific events, qualification via [...]
Sarah Jane McDonnell Appointed Deputy Chef de Mission, Performance Support for Team Ireland at LA28
Team Ireland has confirmed the appointment of Sarah‑Jane McDonnell as Deputy Chef de Mission, Performance Support for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, a role that recognises her long-standing contribution to high-performance sport and her leadership within the Sport Ireland Institute. McDonnell has been a central figure in supporting Irish athletes across multiple Olympic cycles. [...]
Performance Round Up – April 2026
Sailing Eve McMahon claims gold in the ILCA 6 class at the prestigious Princess Sofia Regatta in Mallorca. Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove led the charge, claiming silver in the 49er at French Olympic Week in Hyères. Eve McMahon took silver home in ILCA 6 after a gripping battle with the USA’s Charlotte Rose. Golf [...]
Events coming up in May 2026
Athletics 2-3 May: World Athletics Relays, Gaborone, Botswana Boxing 3-10 May: Feliks Stamm Tournament, Warsaw, Poland Canoeing 29-31 May: Canoe Slalom World Cup 1, Ljubljana, Slovenia Cycling 1-3 May: Downhill & Cross-country Olympic World Series round 1, South Korea 22-24 May: Rás Tailteann, Ireland 22-24 May: Cross Country World Series, Czech Republic [...]
Dare to Believe Recap
Sonia O'Sullivan visits Westport Athletics Club Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan joined almost 500 school children at a special event hosted by Westport Athletics Club, supported by the Dare to Believe Programme, the Olympic Federation of Ireland schools programme sponsored by Allianz Ireland. Set against the stunning backdrop of Croagh Patrick and under bright blue [...]
In The News – May 5th 2026
Athletics Irish Women’s 4x400m Team Qualify for 2027 World Athletics Championships The Irish Women’s 4x400m relay team produced a hugely impressive performance on Day Two of the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, securing qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. The quartet of Rachel McCann (North Down AC), Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock [...]
Over 12,000 Students Tune In for Inspiring Olympians Live Webinar
More than 12,000 students from across Ireland joined today’s Olympians Live webinar, delivered as part of the Dare to Believe programme, for a morning of inspiration, insight and interaction with some of Team Ireland’s top athletes. Hosted by Olympian Thomas Barr, the sessions, tailored for both primary and secondary school audiences, featured candid conversations with [...]
SONIA O’SULLIVAN INSPIRES AT WESTPORT AC EVENT SUPPORTED BY DARE TO BELIEVE
Team Ireland Olympic silver medallist Sonia O'Sullivan joined almost 500 schoolchildren at a special event hosted by Westport Athletics Club, supported by the Dare to Believe Programme, the Olympic Federation of Ireland schools programme sponsored by Allianz Ireland. Set against the stunning backdrop of Croagh Patrick and under bright blue skies, the newly opened track [...]
Double Silver & A Marathon Record: In the News
Double Silver for Irish Sailors at French Olympic Week It was a standout week for Irish sailing at French Olympic Week in Hyères, with double silver medals and strong performances across the squad at the second Sailing Grand Slam of the season. Olympians Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove led the charge, claiming silver in the 49er after [...]
Allianz Ireland Announces New Brand Ambassador Partnership with Kate O’Connor
Allianz, title sponsor of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) and Paralympics Ireland, is proud to announce a new brand ambassador partnership with record-breaking Irish heptathlete and Olympian, Kate O’Connor. This new partnership is an extension of Allianz’s global commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Kate joins fellow Olympic and Paralympic icons Rhasidat Adeleke [...]