Rising star of Irish sailing, Eve McMahon, is all set to compete in the ILCA 6 European Championships in Athens, starting this Sunday. With several top rivals absent, the Howth Yacht Club teen has an excellent opportunity to build on her already impressive season.
Many of her competitors, including Emma Plasschaert of Belgium, Charlotte Rose of the USA, Maud Jayet of Switzerland, and Marit Bouwmeester of The Netherlands, will not be present at the event along with many of the top 20 in the international fleet as the focus now shifts directly to July's Olympic Regatta.
This means that McMahon, who finished 20th at the Argentinian World Championships, can further cement her position in the Women's single-handed fleet for Paris 2024, for which she has already qualified.
However, the 140 boat competition (with 134 European boats) is still stiff, with Women's World Championship winner Anne-Marie Rindom and Maria Erdi of Hungary, who finished seventh at the Argentinan Worlds medal race in January, very much the favourites in a competition that has two Olympic Qualifier places up for grabs.
The Rio 2016 silver medallist, Ireland's Annalise Murphy, will also be present at the event, providing McMahon with expert coaching and support. It should all mean McMahon has the opportunity to finish in the top five or 10, giving her a welcome boost for Marseille.
The event will start on Sunday with a three-day qualification round, after which the Gold fleet split will be decided. The final round will commence on Wednesday, with the Medal Race for the top ten boats on Friday to determine the podium. McMahon will be looking to make her mark and add another feather to her cap.