Three sisters will represent Ireland next week at the 2025 Optimist World Championship in Portorož, Slovenia—a notable first in Irish Optimist sailing.
Maeve, Emily, and Lily Donagh (RStGYC/LDYC) are part of a five-strong Irish team headed to the World Championship, which runs from June 26 to July 6. This marks the first time three siblings have represented Ireland at this event, a rare occurrence even in international Optimist sailing.
Each sister earned her place on the team through strong performances at the national trials. At the Irish Sailing Youth Nationals in April, Maeve, Emily, and Lily finished first, second, and third respectively, after ten races against the country’s top 50 Optimist sailors. They repeated this result three weeks later at the Optimist Leinster Championships, once again claiming the top three spots.
The sisters have been active on both national and international Optimist circuits for several years. Emily was Irish Junior National Champion in 2022. The following year, Maeve qualified for the Irish team competing at the Optimist European Championship in Greece. She went on to place third junior overall at the 2023 British Optimist Nationals—finishing as both the top-ranked junior from Britain and Ireland, and the top-ranked girl in the fleet. Lily has delivered consistent performances in both junior and senior fleets and, together with Maeve, represented Ireland at the 2024 Optimist World Championship in Argentina, where both secured places in the Silver Fleet.
The Worlds in Slovenia will welcome 287 sailors from 66 nations — the highest number of competitors and participating countries in the history of the championship. Joining the Donagh sisters on the Irish team are Charlotte Crosbie (RNIYC/CN Javea) and Holly Cantwell (RStGYC). Patrick Fegan (MYC/RStGYC) had earned a place on the Worlds team but opted to compete at the European Championship instead. This allowed Holly to step in and complete the team — enabling Ireland to field its first all-girls Optimist Worlds team.
Hong Kong is also sending an all-girls team, and girls-only representatives are expected from the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Paraguay, and India.
The event offers a valuable opportunity for the Irish sailors to gain international experience and compete at the highest level of youth sailing.
