Women in Sport: Ireland’s youngest ever Olympic sailor Eve McMahon
In this instalment of our Women in Sport series, we hear from Eve McMahon on her sporting inspirations, biggest goals, and proudest achievements.
Eve McMahon is a two-time U21 World Champion in the ILCA 6 Class and was Team Ireland’s representative for this class at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. At the Games in Marseille, she competed as one of the youngest sailors in a highly competitive 43-boat fleet. She finished an outstanding 13th overall and was the youngest competitor in the top 20.
McMahon was also Team Ireland’s Olympic Torch Bearer when the torch landed in Marseille earlier this year. She was also nominated by World Sailing for Female Young World Sailor of the Year at the World Sailing Awards this year in Singapore and was Irish Sailing’s Sailor of the Year in 2023 and Young Sailor of the Year in 2022. As well as this, she has been nominated for RTÉ Young Sportsperson of the Year, and UCD Sportsperson of the Year. Eve is studying for her Bachelor of Science in International Commerce at University College Dublin.
Here, Eve shares her sporting story so far…
Name: Eve McMahon
Profession: Athlete/Student
Age: 20
Earliest sporting memory?
My earliest sporting memory was when I was sailing as a little girl in my home club, Howth Yacht Club. My two older brothers would take me out on the water in an optimist (a small boat to learn how to sail) and we would just adventure around the harbour!
How did you become involved in your sport?
As I mentioned, I have two older brothers who are both great sailors. Our sailing journey began together with summer courses at Howth Yacht Club, which was an amazing way to make new friends and build new skills. Once my brothers started competing, I would often join in on races just for fun—and from there the rest is history!
What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete?
Reach for the stars. Sports teach us countless skills that extend far beyond the playing field, shaping who we are in everyday life. If you’re willing to put in the hard work and surround yourself with people who support and believe in you, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. With determination and the right support, any goal is within reach.
Proudest moment so far…
My proudest moment so far was competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic games. Having the incredible opportunity to race and compete against the best female sailors in the world was an incredible feeling. It was a true test of skill, endurance, and mental fortitude. Being one of the youngest female sailors in my class, out of 43 highly experienced competitors, made the experience even more special and I was extremely proud to be racing at the top end of the fleet to finish 13th overall at my first ever Olympic Games. Knowing that I was competing alongside seasoned Olympians while representing my country and university was a moment of pride that will stay with me forever.
The female athlete I admire most is…
The female athlete I admire the most is Anne-Marie Rindom. Anne-Marie is a Danish sailor, 3-time Olympic medallist and a teammate of mine. I began training with her 5 years ago and she was never afraid to share her wisdom and skills with me. She is an athlete that is hugely respected within the sport and I am very grateful to be training alongside her.
Favourite sporting memory…
My favourite sporting memory was winning my final U21 World Championships. I have had a very successful youth career, but ending my youth racing career with a gold medal is definitely a favourite moment of mine and a moment that I’m very proud of.
Do you think there is still a stigma around women in sport?
Yes, while we’ve made significant strides, some stigmas around women in sport persist. Certain sports are still seen as “male-dominated,” and female athletes often face challenges like limited media exposure, sponsorship, and public support. Fortunately, the success of women in various sports is challenging these stereotypes, and we’re seeing an encouraging shift in attitudes.
What is the biggest barrier to driving visibility in women’s sports?
A key barrier is the lack of consistent media coverage. Men’s sports often dominate prime-time slots and major media platforms, leaving women’s sports with limited opportunities for exposure. Increasing coverage of women’s sports would not only highlight the incredible skill and dedication of female athletes but also inspire young girls and attract sponsors, building momentum for even greater visibility.
The biggest misconception that exists in women’s sport is…
A major misconception is that women’s sports aren’t as physically demanding or require less skill than men’s sports. This belief overlooks the dedication, rigorous training, and resilience that female athletes bring to their performance. Women’s sports demand high levels of athleticism, strategy, and endurance, and recognising this is crucial to fully appreciating the hard work and talent these athletes demonstrate every day.
If I wasn’t an athlete I would be…
A businesswoman! I am currently studying commerce international in UCD and would love the opportunity to work in a business or even set up my own business in the future.
My favourite pre-competition meal is…
Any meal that contains a large amount of carbohydrates! I also love bringing energy balls out on to the water with me. They are easy to digest but give me a great amount of energy before I start my racing.
My pre-competition playlist includes…
‘Destination Calabria’ by Alex Gaudino.
My daily routine is…
A typical day of training leading up to the Olympics involved either a Strength & Conditioning session or a long cycling session in the morning time, followed by a 2–3- hour sailing training session. In preparation for the Games, my training was based in Marseille, the venue for Olympic sailing, allowing me to familiarise myself with the Olympic waters and the specific weather conditions that I would be racing in. This combination of physical training and time on the water at the Olympic venue was crucial to ensure I was fully prepared for the challenges of competing at the highest level.
My biggest sporting goal is…
I would like to be the most successful Irish female, ILCA 6 sailor ever and be a figurehead for women in sports, especially sailing.
Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…
I love Kinetica sport nutrition products. They have such a variety of high- quality nutrition products that help me fuel and recover from training and competing. I especially love using their energy gels, these products are a quick, effective way for me to get a sufficient amount of energy before a big race.
Biggest splurge to celebrate a win…
I love going out for a nice lunch or dinner with my family. My family have played a huge part in my sporting success so far, so it is nice to go out and celebrate with them.
How do you mind your mental health?
I always remember to take some time out for myself. Sport can be very intense, but I have realised that it is important to take a step back and make sure your mind is fit and strong before I resume my intense physical training.
My three desert island beauty products are:
- Image Skincare tinted moisturiser SPF 50
- The Smooth Company slick back wand
- Image Skincare iluma brightening serum
I need at least 8-9 hours of sleep a night because….
My body performs at its best when it is rested.
Confidence, to me, is…
Believing in myself and fighting for goals that I want to achieve and trusting in my own training and preparations.
How do you get over a bad performance?
When I have a bad performance, I sit down with my coach and debrief the whole race. We analyse what went wrong and what I need to do the next time to ensure the mistake doesn’t happen again. We then focus the next couple of training sessions on repeating the same situation or skill until I learn and fix it.
Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of community, on a club, local, national and personal level?
Sport brings people together on so many levels. It creates friendships and camaraderie, building a sense of belonging. Sport unites people from all backgrounds, giving us a shared sense of identity and pride. Sport also teaches resilience, discipline, and teamwork, which shape us both on and off the field.
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