Pre-event training for the ILCA 7 World Championships got underway in Dún Laoghaire Harbour on Tuesday (August 18), with double Olympic champion Matt Wearn among the first sailors to launch from the National Yacht Club.
The Australian star was one of six sailors from his country first down the NYC slipway as competitors began using the brand-new charter ILCA fleet assembled on nearby Carlisle Pier.
They launched into a 10-15 knot westerly for the first official training sessions in the championship boats.
Leading Irish ILCA 7 sailors Finn Lynch and Ewan McMahon followed shortly afterwards as the international fleet began taking to Dublin Bay.
Worlds Ready – Ireland’s Ewan McMahon prepares his charter ILCA at the National Yacht Club ahead of pre-event training for the ILCA 7 World Championships in Dún Laoghaire Photo: Con Murphy
Both Irish sailors have previously won World Championship silver medals on home waters. Lynch took silver at the 2012 World Sailing Youth Championships on Dublin Bay before going on to claim senior World Championship silver at the 2021 ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship in Barcelona, Spain. McMahon won silver at the 2016 Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Dún Laoghaire.
90 Charter Boats Training
Approximately 90 of the 141 ILCA 7 World Championship entrants are expected to take advantage of pre-event training in their charter boats this week.
The activity marks the next stage in the major logistical operation centred on Carlisle Pier, where the championship's new charter fleet was delivered and assembled ahead of the Worlds.
The International Laser Class Association had scheduled Tuesday as the opening of charter-fleet training, with controlled access between the Carlisle Pier boat park and the host club slipways.
Training Ground – The ILCA training compound comes into operation as World Championship competitors begin using the charter fleet in Dún Laoghaire.
Training is also continuing from the temporary Coal Harbour base, which has been accommodating men's and women's competitors preparing for the two Olympic-class World Championships.
World's Best Arrive
Wearn's appearance underlines the calibre of the international fleet gathering in Dún Laoghaire.
The Australian won ILCA 7 gold at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games and is among the headline contenders for the world title on Dublin Bay.
Ireland's challenge includes two-time Olympian Finn Lynch and Ewan McMahon, with Tom Coulter, Roger Craig, Bobby Driscoll and recently crowned Irish champion Fiachra McDonnell completing the six-strong home entry.
The 2026 ILCA 7 Men's World Championship runs from August 23-30 and is jointly hosted by the National Yacht Club and Royal St George Yacht Club.
It will be followed by the ILCA 6 Women's World Championship from September 5-12.
