Irish Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove launch their latest Los Angeles 2028 Olympic campaign this week at the 2026 49er European Championships in Eckernförde, Germany. The championship, running from 7–12 July on Germany's Baltic coast, has attracted a fleet of 194 boats and will see Europe's leading skiff sailors compete across six days of racing.
Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) head a four-boat Irish challenge after finishing 14th at Kieler Woche, where light, unsettled conditions led to a reduced racing schedule.
Flatter waters and a more consistent forecast in Eckernförde are expected to provide better racing conditions and a fuller championship programme.
Joining the senior Olympic pairing are development crew Ben O'Shaughnessy (Royal Cork Yacht Club) and Ethan Spain (National Yacht Club). The duo have enjoyed an encouraging first full season on the senior circuit, recording race wins and several Gold Fleet podium finishes ahead of this month's Junior World Championships in Medemblik.
Irish Sailing 49er coach Benjamin Bildstein said preparation had gone well. "We've got a clear strategy for the week and the key will be consistency. It's a long championship and there will always be challenges along the way, but if we can execute well in the qualification rounds and keep improving each day, we'll put ourselves in a strong position when it matters most."
In the 49erFX fleet, Erin McIlwaine (Newcastle Yacht Club) and Ellen Barbour (County Antrim Boat Club) continue their first senior international campaign.
The pair have shown steady progress throughout the season and arrive in Germany with a new boat that Irish Sailing coach Matt McGovern believes will provide another performance boost. "The girls have been putting a huge amount of work into getting their new boat set up exactly how they want it, and we're confident that investment will pay off," McGovern said. "If we can combine that with good starts, they'll give themselves every opportunity to have a strong championship."
Also competing will be Royal St George Yacht Club sailor Lucia Cullen, racing under the Dutch flag alongside Anne de Kort while continuing her search for a new Irish 49erFX partner.
