Erin McIlwaine
Newcastle Yacht Club
Royal St George
Irish 49 FX Olympic Development Team
Erin McIlwaine embarked on her sailing journey alongside her brother and mother. Initially sailing alongside her older brother, who transitioned to different boats as he grew, allowing Erin to learn from her mother on their family boat where she was able to learn the ropes. As her skills grew, she progressed to the Topper, a single-handed boat designed for young sailors. Her family’s support remained a constant as she joked that she used to follow her brother around courses and her dad was the person who ended up driving down south every weekend to take her to practice when she moved into the 29er. Sailing plays a huge role for the family, with everyone actively involved in the sport. Erin even occasionally joins her brother as a crew for his RS400.
Her accolades include the 2018 World Junior Topper Championships female world champion title, as well as being awarded RYA NI Young Sailor of the Year in 2019. Erin’s proficiency in single-handed boats marked her initial success, her smaller stature made her consider a shift to a different boat that would complement her skills. She decided to move into two-handed skiff boats first moving into the smaller boat of the 29er and then has since transitioned to a 49er FX. This decision however meant that Erin had to travel down to Dublin to practice because there were enough boats in the North.
Being in a two-handed boat communication emerged as a vital factor in making a good team. Erin embraced roles as both crew and helm as she worked with different partners through boat changes. Though she helms in her current pairing with Ellie Cunnane, using skills learned on different boats and understanding the intricacies of teamwork proved pivotal. Erin’s partnership with Ellie happened after meeting during topper sailing, and now they have cultivated a strong team. Erin enjoys that you can share small moments while sailing in a pair. Erin and Ellie have most recently sailed at the Junior U23 World Championship where they had a commendable 2-race win and 20th place for the female team. They are still relatively new to the class, and it will be exciting to watch them gain experience in the boat.
While Erin applied to a range of schools on the island, she is now attending Trinity for a degree in Physiotherapy. This move means that she can consistently train without the need for weekend commutes to sail. With the goal of the 2028 Olympics, the proximity to Royal St. George and training facilities is a positive move.
Erin is dedicated and made her own path in sailing; she has consistently chosen boats that were less popular at the time when she started. She has set goals and is looking to the future. However, like most young athletes, she was offered the chance to try many different sports and she found that sailing is what she enjoyed the most and what she was best at. Her advice is to try every sport and find something you like, bring friends along or make it something you enjoy. There is something for everyone and even in sailing someone is always looking for someone to sail with. You must be open to the opportunity.
Erin is paving her own way in the sport and at the Female Sports Forum, we are excited to see this young woman grow into both a great athlete and a strong role model within both sailing in the larger sports community.