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Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove, Olympic 49er Sailors
Ireland's Paris 2024 49er duo Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) are first into action

Ireland's Dickson and Waddilove Ready for Paris 2024 Olympic Skiff Start This Sunday

24th July 2024 Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove
Ireland's Paris 2024 49er duo Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) are first into action in the Men's skiff event when their fleet series begins on Sunday (28th July) at the Olympic venue in the port…
From left: Seán Waddilove, Eve McMahon and Robert Dickson will represent Ireland in sailing at the Paris Olympics

Howth Yacht Club Postpones Celebration of Paris 2024 Competitors

4th July 2024 Howth YC
Howth Yacht Club has postponed its planned send-off for its Paris 2024 competitors due to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases nationwide. The club cited a “reported recent increase in the occurrence of respiratory and similar ailments” and says it…
Afloat's Irish Sailor of the Year, Eve McMahon makes her Olympic debut this summer at Paris 2024, having qualified in the Women’s Dinghy

Irish Sailors Officially Named for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

18th June 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
The Olympic Federation of Ireland has officially selected the sailing team that will compete at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Rio Olympian, Finn Lynch, will compete in the Men’s Dinghy, and Tokyo Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove…
A short documentary (vid below) follows Robert and Seán on preparations for what they claim is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed at the very highest level of sport, from their beginnings at Howth and Skerries Sailing Clubs to soon-to-be two-time Olympians at Paris 2024

Olympian 49ers Rob Dickson & Sean Waddilove Make The Clear Cut For 2024 Olympics In France (Video)

6th June 2024 Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove
While many reckoned that the "Fingal Flyers" duo of Rob Dickson and Sean Waddilove had taken Ireland's 49er place for the July-August 2024 Sailing Olympiad in Marseilles before Christmas 2023 had passed, it was still theoretically possible until very recently…
Seán Waddilove (left) and Robert Dickson

Dickson and Waddilove Secure Their Paris 2024 Spot as Guilfoyle and Durcan Are Denied Chance to Close the Gap

12th May 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove have emerged best of the two Irish contenders to compete in the men’s skiff event at Paris 2024 this summer. The Dublin crew — from Howth Yacht Club and Skerries Sailing Club respectively — qualified…
Cork Harbour's Séafra Guilfoyle and Johnny Durcan from Royal Cork Yacht Club have scored 41 points and are in 27th place after the first day of racing at the 49er European Championships in La Grande Motte, South of France. Their scores for the day were 20, 6 and 15. They are currently competing against Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove, who are leading the Irish selection trials for the single Irish 49er place at the Paris Olympics

Dickson and Waddilove Lead Irish Hopes and Selection Trials at 49er Europeans

8th May 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
The outcome of the final Irish Olympic sailing selection trial for Paris 2024 remains finely balanced between two rivals after the first qualifying races in La Grande Motte in the South of France. Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove from Dublin's Howth Yacht Club and Skerries…
The two Irish 49ers of Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove from Dublin's Howth Yacht Club and Skerries (IRL 99) and Crosshaven's Séafra Guilfoyle and Johnny Durcan from Royal Cork Yacht Club (IRL 11 on port) are pictured on a startline during a warm-up race at La Grande Motte in the South of France

All Eyes on Dickson/Waddilove Versus Guilfolye/Durcan as Final Paris Irish Olympic 49er Trial Begins

7th May 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Irish Olympic sailing fans have their eyes fixed on the 49er European Championships that kicked off in La Grande Motte in the South of France this morning. This event is the final trial for Paris 2024 selection, and the international…
Howth's Eve McMahon is now in fifth overall after her three opening races at French Olympic Week at Hyères

Three Howth Yacht Club Boats in Top Ten Overall After Day Two of French Olympic Week at Hyères

23rd April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Howth Yacht Club boats have moved into the top ten of their respective events on the second day of French Olympic Week at Hyères on the Cote D'Azur, France, one of the last big regattas before the Olympic Games itself.…
While Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove enjoyed a welcome final-day score, it wasn’t enough to lift them from 25th place in the Gold fleet

Irish Sailors End Disappointing 49er Worlds on a High Note

10th March 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
After a disappointing week for both Irish crews competing at 49er World Championship in Lanzarote a final-race second place on Sunday (10 March) for Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove was a welcome early season morale boost. After a clean start,…
Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove remain in 25th place overnight after a challenging first day in the 49er Worlds Gold fleet in Lanzarote

Irish Sailors Missing the Shift in First Gold Fleet Races at 49er Worlds

8th March 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Tricky wind conditions have exposed a weakness for the leading Irish crew competing at 49er World Championship in Lanzarote on Friday (8 March). Competing in the Gold fleet final round, Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing…
Dublin sailors Robert Dickson (right) and Sean Waddilove are in 25th place (subject to protests) after the third day of racing at the 49er World Championships in Lanzarote

Irish Sailors on Brink of Qualifying for 49er Gold Fleet at World Championships

7th March 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Irish sailors Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove have put their best foot forward at the 49er World Championship in Lanzarote. The duo is on the brink of qualifying for Gold fleet after the end of the nine-race qualification round on…
Dublin sailors Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove have moved up to 18th overall after the second day of racing at the 49er World Championships in Lanzarote

Irish Sailors Seek Gold Fleet at 49er World Championship in Lanzarote

6th March 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Dublin sailors Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove made a strong start on the second day of racing at the 49er World Championship in Lanzarote, Spain on Wednesday. Despite challenging conditions, including an unstable northerly wind, the duo managed to score…
The “Fingal Flyers” Rob Dickson of Howth (and other clubs) with Sean Waddilove of Skerries

Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove are “Sailors of the Month" (Olympics) For November

1st December 2023 Sailor of the Month
The “Fingal Flyers” Rob Dickson of Howth (and other clubs) with Sean Waddilove of Skerries brightened sailing spirits in the gloomiest month of the year, with an absolutely stellar performance in the Olympic 49er Euros 2023 at Vilamoura in Portugal.…
Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) won the single Paris 2024 Nation qualification place at this week's 49er Europeans in Portugal

Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove Win 49er Nation Place at Paris 2024 Olympics as Racing Cancelled in Vilamoura

13th November 2023 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Ireland has taken the single Paris 2024 Olympic berth after today’s 49er Europen Championships medal race was cancelled in Vilamoura due to lack of wind. Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove led the five nation fight for the single place on offer…
Ireland's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove are holding a top ten place as the 49er European Championships (Vilamoura, Portugal, Sunday 12th November 2023) enters its final on Monday with a Paris 2024 place at stake

It's Ireland v Italy for Paris Olympic Berth in Today's 49er European Battle

13th November 2023 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
There will be a tight finish to Monday's battle for the single European qualification spot on offer at the 49er European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal. After 12 races since last Wednesday, in some difficult light air conditions, Ireland and Italy…
Ireland's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove finish a race at the 49er European Championships. The Dubliners shot up the leaderboard at the 49er European Championships to lead the race for the single Olympic berth available at the championships

Ireland in Pole Position for Paris Olympic Berth at 49er Euros

11th November 2023 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Ireland has passed out Belgium in the Olympic race for the single Paris berth available at the 49er European Championships in Vilamoura. On the first day of gold fleet racing, Ireland's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove improved from 13th to…

Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove, Tokyo and Paris Olympic 49er Sailors 

Dublin dinghy sailors Robert Dickson of Howth Yacht Club and Sean Waddilove of Skerries Sailing Club achieved their goal of representing Ireland in the 49er class, almost six years to the day after first setting foot in a 49er skiff at their home club of Howth Yacht Club in County Dublin in 2015.

The voyage was a magnificent one becoming U23 World champions in 2018 before out sailing rivals double Olympian Ryan Seaton and Seafra Guilfoyle in some style for selection in Lanzarote in March 2021 to win the last European Olympic place for Tokyo.

ROBERT DICKSON

Age: 26

World Ranking: - Olympic Ranking: 27th

Hometown: Sutton, Dublin

Club: Howth Yacht Club

Coach: Matt McGovern

Robert is the Helm of a 49er that he sails with Seán Waddilove. The pair previously represented Ireland at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where they won two races. Rob learned to sail at an early age on the Shannon in an old wooden Optimist with his family. Like most young sailors in Ireland he ventured onto one of the summer courses in Lough Ree Yacht Club and from there began traveling Ireland and competing nationally at the age of 10.

A highlight for Rob from the last two years would be their 8th place at the 49er Europeans in 2023 that secured them Olympic Qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

  • Paris 2024 Team Ireland Olympian
  • 2023 Paris Olympic Qualification
  • 2022 2nd Place Allianz World Cup, Almere, Netherlands
  • Tokyo 2021 Team Ireland Olympian
  • 2021 Two race wins Tokyo 2020
  • 2021 3rd Lanzarote International Regatta and Qualification for Tokyo 2020
  • 2021 8th Place, World Championships, Mussanah, Oman
  • 2019 Bronze U23 49er World Championships, Norway

SEÁN WADDILOVE

Age: 25

World Ranking: - Olympic Ranking: 27th

Hometown: Skerries, Co. Dublin

Club: Skerries Sailing Club

Coach: Matt McGovern

Seán started sailing at the early age of 8 when his parents booked him onto a Taste of Sailing course in Skerries Sailing Club. In his own words he “fell in love with the sport and has been sailing ever since.”

Seán is the crew of a 49er he sails with Robert Dickson. The pair previously represented Ireland at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where they won two races. But their success as a pair started early when they became World U23 Champions in Marseille.

  • Paris 2024 Team Ireland Olympian
  • 2023 Paris Olympic Qualification
  • 2022 2nd Place Allianz World Cup, Almere, Netherlands
  • Tokyo 2021 Team Ireland Olympian
  • 2021 Two race wins Tokyo 2020
  • 2021 3rd Lanzarote International Regatta and Qualification for Tokyo 2020
  • 2021 8th Place, World Championships, Mussanah, Oman
  • 2019 Bronze U23 49er World Championships, Norway

A highlight for Sean would be qualifying for his second Olympics with a 5th-place finish at the 2024 European Championships, La Grande Motte, France.

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