Ireland has set its sights on a semi-final place at the Team Racing World Championship in Stockholm, where racing gets underway this week.
Team captain Jamie McMahon says the eight-strong Irish squad is "quietly confident" after a summer of J/80 training at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire.
As Afloat reported earlier, the squad held one of its final J/80 training sessions on Dublin Bay at the weekend before travelling to Sweden for the World Championship, which runs from 12–16 August.
"We have been training in J/80s over the summer, thanks to the generosity of the Royal St George," McMahon said.
Stockholm focus: Ireland's team racing squad sharpens its J/80 boat-handling skills on Dublin Bay before taking on the world's best in Stockholm. Photo: Inpho/James Crombie
With the squad comprising both full-time students and those in employment, training has largely been confined to evenings and weekends.
"We have made the most of those sessions by taking full advantage of the rare but glamorous weather we've had in Ireland this summer," McMahon said.
Irish Team Takes Confidence From Home Competition
McMahon believes the growing standard of Irish team racing has played an important part in preparing the squad for Stockholm.
At this year's 2K Eastern Championships, the Irish combination defeated Baltimore, who finished third at the 2025 World Championships.
Worlds workout: Ireland's team racers put a J/80 through its paces on Dublin Bay during preparations for the Team Racing World Championship in Stockholm. Photo: Inpho/James Crombie
"We feel the team consists of a very talented group of sailors, and we work very well as a team," McMahon said.
"The calibre of team racing in Ireland is getting more impressive and stronger every year, and we feel the depth of competition we've experienced at home is exactly what has us ready for the World Championships in Stockholm."
McMahon also acknowledged the backing of Davy and the Royal St George Yacht Club.
"Thanks to them, the team feels quietly confident as we approach the first day of racing."
Semi-Finals First Target
While McMahon stopped short of predicting an overall finishing position, he identified reaching the last four as Ireland's first objective.
"It's hard to put a number on what success looks like for this team. Our first milestone would be to qualify for semi-finals and then push on from there."
He said the team takes considerable pride in representing Ireland internationally.
Team effort: Four members of the Irish squad train aboard a J/80 off Dún Laoghaire ahead of the Team Racing World Championship in Stockholm. Photo: Inpho/James Crombie
"Ireland, through various sailors, has proved to be a dominant sailing nation on a worldwide stage, which is so impressive considering we have such a small population," he said.
"We want to continue to prove that point — that Ireland deserves a top place in the team racing domain of world sailing."
McMahon will sail as jib trimmer aboard one of Ireland's two J/80s with helm Tom Higgins, mainsail trimmer Henry Higgins and bow Fiona Ferguson.
The second Irish boat comprises helm Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, jib trimmer Fionn Lyden, mainsail trimmer Clíodhna Ní Shúilleabháin and bow Sally O'Flynn.
McMahon said the unusual opportunity to turn long-time rivals into teammates was part of the appeal of the campaign.
"I have spent my sailing career racing against the team in Optimists, 420s and ILCAs," he said. "I'm very excited to join forces and race together, representing Ireland."
Fionn Lyden said the squad was looking forward to "racing against the world's best", while Tom Higgins said several weeks of training had left the team keen to get racing in Stockholm.
The World Championship takes place on Stockholm's Riddarfjärden, with Ireland competing against an international field in supplied J/80 keelboats.
