July 2022 will be remembered as the ultra-crowded month in which sailing in Ireland really did leap back to pre-pandemic levels, something that has been reflected in it recording an unprecedented number of Afloat.ie “Sailors of the Month” in six distinct categories.
But in this as in everything else, Eve McMahon (18) of Howth was in a league of her own. She emerged from the non-sailing purdah in May and June of total concentration on revision and sitting the Leaving Cert to return afloat, and take three Gold Medals in the ILCA 6 Radial - in the Euros in Greece, the World Sailing Youth Championship in the Netherlands, and the ILCA 6 Youth Worlds in Texas.
For many sailors, this would be a lifetime achievement. But Eve McMahon did it all within one month, “to have some fun in boats after swotting for exams”.
