To continue our 'Charting the Stars' Series we sat down with Eve McMahon, Female Young Sailor of the Year Nominee on her return from Singapore to get a little bit of insight into the whole experience and what it was like to be nominated for such a prestigious award.
Eve, Can you tell us what was it like to be nominated for World Sailing's new award, Young World Sailor of the Year?
I was incredibly proud and deeply honoured to be one of the four nominees worldwide for the prestigious Youth World Sailor of the Year award. This recognition represented not only a significant milestone in my own personal career but also a historic moment for Irish sailing, this was the first time an Irish sailor had been nominated for the World Sailing awards. It filled me with pride to stand on the global stage, representing Ireland at the highest level in sailing and also being recognized for the countless hours of training and competing that brought me to this moment.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience of flying to Singapore and being in the room with some of sailings best and brighest?
Traveling to Singapore for the World Sailing Awards was an unforgettable experience that wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity and support from Irish Sailing. I had the opportunity to explore some of Singapore's most iconic landmarks and attractions, which added to the excitement of the trip. The awards ceremony was held at the stunning Chijmes Hall, an inspiring venue steeped in history and filled with the world’s top sailors. It was an incredible privilege to connect and relate with all the sailors from a range of classes, hearing their stories, and gain valuable insights into their achievements. The entire experience was both inspiring and truly memorable.
Also in that room with you was Marit Bouwmeester, Female Sailor of the Year 2024 and 4x Olympic Medalist. We saw that you got her to sign your sail after the games, does seeing her commitment and dominance of the sport drive/inspire you?
The summer leading up to the Olympic Games I had the remarkable opportunity to train alongside Marit Bouwmeester, one of the most accomplished and respected sailors in the world. Observing her daily training routine and gaining firsthand insight into her intense training sessions was motivating for me. Her attention to detail, mental toughness, and commitment to excellence stood out. Her ability to consistently perform at the highest level, while earning the admiration and respect of competitors across the fleet, set a benchmark I now aspire to achieve in my own journey. Training with Marit strengthened my belief in the power of hard work, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude. It was an experience that not only shaped my approach to training but also fuelled my ambition to push boundaries and make a mark in the sailing world.
Then similarly, you must be immensely proud of your own youth career, 2x U21 World Champ, Youth Worlds World Champ, Paris 2024 Olympian, the list continues... do you hope this will motivate and inspire more young female sailors to follow in your footsteps and keep going in our sport?
I hope that my success in my youth career showcases the potential for other Irish sailors, from a smaller nation like Ireland, to excel and dominate on the world stage. To date, I have achieved seven Youth World Championship medals, five of them gold, and I hope these results inspire young female sailors to believe in their abilities. With hard work and determination, they too can achieve extraordinary things and make history. I want young female sailors to see, through my journey, that the possibilities in this sport are limitless if they are willing to put in the effort.
Finally, any advice to anyone looking to chase their dreams in sailing?
Reach for the stars!
Sports teach us countless skills that extend far beyond the racecourse, shaping who we are in everyday life. If you are willing to put in the hard work and surround yourself with people who support and believe in you, there is no limit to what you can achieve. With determination and the right support, any dream is within reach.
Thank you very much and all the best for 2025...
Pictured above: Marit Bouwmeester, Eve McMahon and Jo Aleh