Eve McMahon made an encouraging start to the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship in Dún Laoghaire, finishing the opening day of racing in 12th place overall after recording three top-10 results.
The Howth Yacht Club sailor produced a consistent performance in challenging conditions on Dublin Bay as a fleet of 110 competitors took to the water for the opening races of the championship, the first Women’s ILCA World Championship to be staged in Ireland.
McMahon opened with a sixth-place finish before improving to fourth in the second race of the day. A difficult start in the final race left her with ground to make up, but she recovered well through the fleet to claim eighth place and remain firmly in contention heading into day two.
“It was a really tricky day out there, but I’m happy with my results,” McMahon said. “It was a consistent start to the week, which is what I was looking for.”
The championship is jointly led by American sailor Charlotte Rose and Belgium’s Emma Plasschaert, who are level on points after the opening day, with Rose occupying top spot on countback.
Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy also made an impressive return to international competition following a five-year absence. The National Yacht Club sailor posted finishes of 11th, 11th and 14th in demanding conditions, leaving her well placed after the opening three races.
Murphy admitted the blustery conditions provided a stern test but was pleased to find herself competitive throughout the day.
Elsewhere, Ireland’s younger sailors also gained valuable experience on the world stage.
Lucy Ives, competing in her first senior world championship, faced a steep learning curve in the strong winds, while 17-year-old Sienna Wright built momentum during the day and secured a notable 15th-place finish in the second race.
The preliminary series concludes on Tuesday before the fleet is split into Gold and Silver fleets for the championship phase.
Racing continues through the week, with the medal series scheduled for Saturday to decide the final podium positions.