Solo Sailor Tom Dolan honoured at Irish Sailing Awards

Tom Dolan honoured as Irish Sailor of the Year © Andrew Conan / Inpho

Solitaire Du Figaro Paprec winner Tom Dolan has been named "Sailor of the Year" at the Irish Sailing Awards on Friday 28 February, at 1 WML, Windmill Lane in Dublin. Tom, who was the first Irish person ever to win the prestigious single-handed race in France in September, grew up sailing on Lough Ramor in Co. Cavan. This is Tom's second time winning "Sailor of the Year" in a public vote held on Afloat.ie.

The "Dubarry Team of the Year" was taken home by Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove on the back of their extraordinary season that culminated in a fourth place at the Paris Olympics in the Men's Skiff event.

The Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Sailor of the Year Award went to Sienna Wright of Howth Yacht Club following her Under 17 World Championship Gold and Silver at the Youth ILCA 6 World Championships. Sienna was unable to attend and the Award was collected by her father Darren.

The Woman on the Water Award went to the National Yacht Club's Nicole Hemeryck, helm of 'Valentina', overall winner at Volvo Cork Week, first in class 0 at the ICRA Nationals and third in same at the IRC Europeans.

Reflecting on his journey, Tom Dolan expressed deep gratitude to his sponsors, "I am indebted to Kingspan, Smurfit Westrock, and Dubarry. They backed me early in my career. I am immensely proud to have won the 2024 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec; this victory would have been impossible without the support of my sponsors for which I am deeply grateful for. No non-French team has ever achieved such a result."

Tom Dolan went on to announce his ambition to join the starting line of the 2028 Vendée Globe. This solo single-handed round-the-world sailing race, non-stop and without assistance is regarded as the ultimate test of ocean racing—a challenge that is as physically gruelling as it is mentally demanding, where only the most battle-hardened manage to complete the journey.

After seven seasons in the notoriously demanding Figaro class and having cut his teeth in the Mini class, Tom Dolan is ready to take on a new chapter and become the first Irish sailor to finish the Vendée Globe.

CEO of Irish Sailing Tim Bourke said "We are thrilled to have such a wealth of talent here tonight. There is almost too much to choose from, Tom Dolan's epic achievements in single handed sailing and Rob and Sean's performance in Marseille in any given year would be enough for accolades, but to have both, as well as two other Olympians in Finn Lynch and Eve McMahon is just incredible. When you couple that with the amazing achievements of Youth Sailor Sienna Wright and the accomplishments of the likes of Woman on the Water Nicole Hemeryck, it gives us a lot to be hopeful about for the future of Irish Sailing. We are also delighted to have another ten awards representing commitment and success across the many activities of our sport and the recognition of all nominees from the sailing community in these awards is something we can all be proud of."

Irish Sailing Club of the Year went west again this year to Cullaun Sailing Club who made the trip from Co. Clare to Dublin to receive their award. Cullaun are a fully volunteer-led club and represent the embodiment of Irish sailing values.

The Momentum Award was new to the Irish Sailing line up this year and went to "Headcase" crew of Cillian Dickson, Louis Molloy, Marcus Ryan, Ryan Glynn and Sam O'Byrne following their second consecutive win in the J24 European Championships.

The Irish Sailing Cruiser of the Year was won by Susan Kavanagh of Howth Yacht for her stellar work in growing the Howth cruising community.

Donal Hickey of Kinsale Sailability won the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for his work supporting people with disabilities through sailing.

Volunteer of the Year was presented by the RNLI and went to Brian Raftery of Sligo Yacht Club and Senior Instructor of the Year Award went to Mary McCormack of Foynes Yacht Club.

Class of the Year won by Water Wags, a 136 year old class of boat that has made a huge resurgence recently. School or University of the Year was won by University College Cork following their win in the Student Yachting Nationals followed by a fifth place at the University World Championships in Italy.

The Irish Sailing Training Centre of the Year Award went to Rathmullan Sailing and Watersports Club in Co. Donegal for their programme of community focused training and their record of strong local progression.

The Irish Sailing President's Award was given to Peter Crowley of Royal Cork Yacht Club for his contribution to Irish sailing as an International Race Officer.