Laura Dillon wins Irish Sailing Sailor of the Year

2022 RORC Overseas Rear Commodore Laura Dillon has won the prestigious title of Irish Sailing Sailor of the Year. Laura has been racing with the RORC for decades and 2022 was certainly a golden year for Laura.

Louise Makin & Chris Jones’ J/111 Journeymaker II © Paul Wyeth/RORC

In her native Ireland, Laura raced on the J/99 Snapshot winning ICRA Boat of the Year and the Women at the Helm Award from the National Yacht Club.  Dillon was also delighted to win IRC One at Cork week, as tactician onboard Louise Makin & Chris Jones’ J/111 Journeymaker II.

Harry Heijst's S&S 41 Winsome © Rick Tomlinson/RORC

For 12 years Laura Dillon has raced on S&S 41 Winsome with owner, and long standing RORC, member Harry Heijst. In 2022, racing on Winsome, Dillon was named Top Female Helm at Cowes week. Dillon skippered Winsome to class wins in RORC Easter Regatta and also Round the Island Race. 

Laura Dillon takes every opportunity to get in a mixture of sailing and is keen to promote the sport wherever she can. Whether this be in her home club of Howth, to a wider audience. Loving the team element of the sport she has now racked up over 35 years of competitive international racing.

“The competitive element is what keeps me coming back! You are forced to switch off from work, as you simply can’t be thinking about anything else on a start line. Sailing Is a Sport for Life!” commented Laura Dillon.

Congratulations to Laura on all your successes and here’s to more in 2023!