Australia’s double Olympic champion Matt Wearn is back in his ILCA7 dinghy — and chasing history. After a 15-month break from competition, he has launched his campaign toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where he hopes to become the first sailor to win three consecutive gold medals in the Men’s Dinghy event.
Matt now aged 30, knows the pressure of defending gold — he’s done it once already. After his Tokyo triumph, his Paris Olympic campaign was far from smooth. A shortened Olympic cycle and a long battle with COVID forced him to fight against time and fitness. The break that followed, he says, was essential — a chance to reset, ride bikes, coach younger sailors, and rediscover the joy of being on the water.
Now refreshed, Matt returns to an Australian ILCA7 fleet that’s as competitive as ever. Rising talents like Zac Littlewood and Ethan McAullay are keeping the pressure on, and he welcomes it. “That internal competition has always made us stronger,” he said.
This time around, Matt’s approach is about balance — “quality over quantity” — and he’ll share the Olympic journey with his wife, Belgian ILCA6 star Emma Plasschaert, as they both target LA 2028.
Matt’s comeback begins at Sail Melbourne 27-30 November at Royal Brighton YC, followed by the Australian ILCA Nationals 1-8 January at Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Hobart. With renewed focus and history within reach, he’s ready to chase a place among sailing’s greats once again.
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