Going where no man has gone before

Ben Ainslie (GBR) is considered the most successful sailor in Olympic history, winning five consecutive medals from 1996 onwards. His legend is founded on three consecutive gold medals in the Finn, a feat matched only by Paul Elvstrøm in 1952-1960. Being the best in one’s country is hard enough, but to maintain that dominance in a single event, for an extended period, is rare air.

Australian Matt Wearn wants to breath that air.

After 15 months away from his ILCA7 dinghy, double Olympic gold medalist Wearn is back for a campaign towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games. But unlike the Men’s Heavyweight Dinghy event, he’ll attempt something never done before, winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the Men’s Dinghy event.

For most, the pressure of defending a gold medal would be daunting. But for Wearn, it’s familiar territory, and one he’s already conquered. After winning gold in Tokyo 2020, he successfully defended his title in Paris, becoming the first sailor to ever win back-to-back Olympic golds in the Men’s Dinghy ILCA7 (formerly Laser).

“Defending it last time, there was that pressure there, and obviously, no one had done it before either, so there was that aspect to it as well,” Wearn explained. “But this time it feels slightly different.

“I think I’ve proven the first time wasn’t a fluke and that I can turn up and win that gold medal. To have the chance to maybe go back and do it again, hopefully in a bit more of a relaxed environment, to enjoy the experience of the campaign rather than just the pressure of defending – that’s exciting.”

The road between Tokyo and Paris was tough for Wearn. With the Olympic cycle shortened to just three years and a battle with long-COVID sidelining him for a full season, the campaign was all but straightforward.

“It felt like it was all against the clock the whole time,” he admitted. “I know Olympic campaigns always feel that way, but it felt especially so last time. We never really had those typical physical peaks and troughs.”

After Paris, he knew he needed a full reset, physically, mentally, and to find the joy in sailing again.

“It’s been super important to have this time off,” he said. “It’s been about 15 months now, which feels like it’s flown by. I’ve been able to switch off completely, ride my bike when I want, go to the gym if I feel like it.”

Wearn has also been expanding his sailing credentials beyond the Olympic circuit, gaining valuable experience in larger teams and more technical boats. He competed at the Etchells World Championship alongside America’s Cup legend John Bertrand and Olympic champion Mateusz Kusznierewicz, and raced aboard the Maxi yacht Leopard 3 in events including the Cowes to St Malo Race, the Maxi Yacht World Championships, and Les Voiles de St Tropez.

In addition, Wearn has begun sharing his knowledge with the next generation, stepping into a coaching role with the Australian Sailing Futures men’s squad at the U21 ILCA World Championships in Ireland in August.

“It’s been nice to go and do some other sailing and find the enjoyment again,” said Wearn. “Whether cruising around with friends and family out in twilight or racing maxi yachts.”

It wasn’t until recently that the drive to get back in the ILCA returned.

“After about 12 months out, I started getting itchy feet,” Wearn laughed. “I didn’t think I’d miss it, but I started realizing how fun ILCA sailing is, how simple it is just to rig up the boat, go for a zap and get racing.”

Wearn’s return continues an extraordinary Australian legacy in the ILCA7 of four straight Olympic gold medals shared between Tom Slingsby (London 2012), Tom Burton (Rio 2016), and Wearn himself (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024).

But the internal competition that has always defined the class in Australia remains as fierce as ever, with a new wave of talent pushing the standard even higher. Now 30 years of age, Wearn has become one of the senior figures in the Australian ILCA7 squad, a mentor and rival rolled into one.

“It’s definitely a big difference from the last quad,” said Wearn. “We’ve got quite a new generation of sailors coming through, and the level is really high. It’s great to see guys like Zac [Littlewood] and Ethan [McAullay] pushing it at senior events and getting on the podium. That’s going to be exciting.”

He welcomes that competition, having been forged in it himself.

“The battle with Tom Burton a couple of Olympics ago was really motivating and fun in hindsight,” he said. “If that happens again, it’s only going to be good for me and for the other guys as well.”

With his fourth Olympic campaign now underway, Wearn knows it will look different from those before.

“It’s going to be a different approach,” he said. “Quality over quantity is going to be a big thing, finding that balance of pushing hard and being on the water, but also giving myself time to chill out and reset.”

Another motivator is that he’ll be sharing the journey with his wife, Emma Plasschaert, the Belgian ILCA6 sailor and two-time World Champion who’s also chasing her third Olympics.

“We made the decisions separately to try not to influence each other,” he said. “But to be able to live on the circuit and do that together is pretty cool. Hopefully, in LA we can both be standing on the podium and celebrate that afterwards.”

Wearn’s return to competition will start on home waters at Sail Melbourne later this year, followed by the Australian ILCA National Championships in Tasmania in early January.

With renewed energy, a clean slate, and history on the line once again, Matt Wearn is ready to write the next chapter of his Olympic story.

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Sailing Program:
First Week – July 16-20
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA

Second Week – July 23-28
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 – Los Angeles, CA
Men’s Skiff – 49er – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17 – Los Angeles, CA

Dates: July 16-28

Source: Australia Sailing Team