Minister Neale Richmond visits Team Ireland sailors in Marseille

In Marseille on 5 July 2024, Minister Neale Richmond T.D., had the pleasure of meeting with the Team Ireland sailors Finn Lynch, Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove and their coaches, as they enter final preparations ahead of the Sailing events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which will take place in the Mediterranean city next month.

The sailing competitions make up one of the few events taking place outside of the French capital during the Olympics. Marseille, a city naturally focused on the sea, has exceptional sailing conditions.

The quality of the water conditions off the coast of Marseille, with relatively constant winds and a coastal configuration that is correctly oriented in relation to the dominant winds, without any currents or tides, will ensure ideal tactical and strategic conditions for the competitors.

Over the past year and a half, the squad has been based in Marseille, training at the Olympic course. Finn Lynch will compete in Men’s Dinghy, Eve McMahon in Women’s Dinghy and Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove as a duo in the 49er class.

The athletes have been running their home from home training concept, with a shipping container serving as their strategy headquarters and materials store, which the Minister was given a tour of. T

he objective of this home from home strategy, which was not employed in previous Games, is to ensure athletes and coaches have familiarity with the venue and better support their performance.

The squad also discussed the Government High Performance Programme funding they receive via Sport Ireland and Irish Sailing with Minister Richmond.

As they say in France, Bon vent!

We wish the very best of luck to Finn Lynch, Eve McMahon, Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove when they take to the seas on behalf of Ireland for the ultimate race this summer!