Ireland’s Eve McMahon finished seventh overall at the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship in Dún Laoghaire on Saturday, ending her home World Championship with a third place in the final Medal Series race.
American Charlotte Rose was crowned 2026 ILCA 6 Women’s World Champion, successfully defending the nine-point advantage she carried into the decisive two-race series in windy and wavy conditions on Dublin Bay.
Rose becomes only the third American sailor to win the women’s world title and the first non-European champion for 20 years, since China’s Lijia Xu claimed the title in 2006.
Belgium’s Emma Plasschaert took silver, five points behind Rose, with Denmark’s Anna Munch claiming bronze.
McMahon Climbs to Seventh
McMahon entered the Medal Series in ninth place and faced a significant points gap to the podium under the championship’s compressed Final Series scoring system.
The 22-year-old Howth Yacht Club sailor had a difficult opening race, finishing eighth as Britain’s Matilda Nicholls took the win.
McMahon responded strongly in the second and final race. She led at the bottom gate and remained among the frontrunners to finish third, climbing two places to seventh overall on 51 points.
“I had a bit of a chaotic week, to be honest, and this event definitely humbled me,” McMahon said.
“But that’s not a bad thing, particularly just before the winter break. It has shown me what I need to work on and where I can improve.”
McMahon also highlighted the home support throughout the six-day championship.
“It has been great having everyone here cheering us on as we launch, and having my family close by. The support throughout the week has been incredible and that has been really special.”
Rose Ends 20-Year European Run
Saturday’s decider brought a marked change from the very light conditions that had restricted racing on Friday, with 12 to 17-knot winds and waves for the Final Series.
Rose began with a nine-point advantage, but the compressed scoring format left the championship open.
She took second behind Nicholls in the opening race before a sixth in the finale proved enough to secure the world crown on 23 points.
Plasschaert recorded a 6-2 to take silver on 28 points, while Munch’s 5-4 secured bronze on 34.
Hungary’s Maria Erdi won the final race and finished fourth overall, one point ahead of Nicholls.
Rose’s victory makes her only the third American winner of the women’s world title, following a roll of honour that includes Paige Railey, who won in 2005.
More significantly, Rose is the first sailor from outside Europe to take the championship since China’s Lijia Xu in 2006, ending a 20-year sequence of European winners.
“I’m so happy and proud of myself for coming into this championship and believing in myself,” Rose said.
“I came to the start line every day afraid that I wasn’t going to do well, but as soon as the gun went, I backed myself and went for it. It really paid off.”
Rose also credited the international training group that includes McMahon.
“The British girls and Eve McMahon make up one of the best training groups in the world, and we are always pushing each other to improve.”
McMahon said Rose’s victory was thoroughly deserved.
“Charlotte has been on fire all week, so her win is thoroughly deserved. I’m delighted for her.”
Wright Third in Silver Fleet
Outside the Medal Series, Ireland’s Sienna Wright, Annalise Murphy and Lucy Ives completed their championships with a final fleet race ahead of the Medal Series.
Howth’s Wright produced an excellent final performance, finishing sixth to take third overall in the Silver Fleet.
It was a strong conclusion for the young Howth sailor, who had missed Gold Fleet qualification by just two points.
Wright had taken silver behind Greece’s Hermionie Ghicas at the ILCA 6 Youth World Championship last month. Ghicas made the Gold Fleet cut in Dún Laoghaire and finished 34th overall.
Royal St George Yacht Club sailor Lucy Ives, competing in her first senior World Championship, gained valuable experience against the international fleet, with a seventh-place race finish among the highlights of her championship.
LA 2028 Cycle Continues
For McMahon, a short winter break now beckons before preparations resume for the next stage of the LA 2028 Olympic cycle.
She is due to travel to the Olympic waters in Los Angeles before returning to Portugal to prepare for the next ILCA 6 World Championship in Fortaleza, Brazil, in January.
The Brazilian championship will also provide the first qualification opportunity for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The 2026 ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship, hosted by the National Yacht Club and Royal St George Yacht Club, ran on Dublin Bay from September 7-12.
Final Top Three
- Charlotte Rose (USA) — 23 points
- Emma Plasschaert (BEL) — 28 points
- Anna Munch (DEN) — 34 points
Eve McMahon (IRL) — 7th, 51 points
