Sailing champion Matt Wearn has embarked on an exciting journey as he aims to join swimming icon Dawn Fraser and equestrian great Andrew Hoy by winning Olympic gold at three consecutive Games. His quest began successfully at the recent Sailing Grand Slam regatta, Trofeo Princesa Sofía, held in Spain, where he clinched the ILCA 7 title.
This marked Wearn’s first international competition since the Paris 2024 Olympics and the start of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic campaign. He delivered an impressive performance in the ILCA 7 class, which features sailors racing small, single-handed dinghies. His victory in Palma not only reflects his skills but positions him to potentially make his mark alongside Australia’s Olympic legends.
Wearn is looking to join an elite group, as only Fraser and Hoy have achieved the remarkable feat of winning gold in the same event across three consecutive Olympics, with Fraser winning the 100m freestyle in Melbourne (1956), Rome (1960), and Tokyo (1964), and Hoy achieving the same in team eventing during Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000).
After his win, Wearn expressed his excitement: “It’s amazing to be on the top step [of the podium] again… I’m super stoked to be winning Palma. It’s really nice to start the [Olympic] campaign off on the European circuit with a win.” His victory is particularly significant as he reflects on the challenges faced during his time away from the sport, including feelings of self-doubt about returning to competition and determining his standing among fellow sailors.
He highlighted the uncertainty that can accompany time off from competition, saying, “In the scheme of things, there was always a bit of doubt… so, yeah, it’s super nice to sit here right at the front.” This victory fosters confidence as he moves forward, with optimism about the upcoming years and improvement ahead.
Wearn previously secured gold in the ILCA 7 category at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where the event was referred to as laser, and successfully defended his title in Paris. His back-to-back Olympic wins established him as the first competitor to achieve consecutive titles in the men’s dinghy class.
The Trofeo Princesa Sofía marks the beginning of the Sailing Grand Slam season, with Wearn now poised for the upcoming Semaine Olympique Française regatta in France later this month, eager to continue his winning momentum and further his Olympic aspirations.