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Double Olympic bronze medallist Emma Wilson made a golden return with iQFOiL Games victory in Lanzarote




Former Ballard School pupil Emma Wilson marked her return to Olympic class racing with a resounding victory at the 2025 season opener, while teammate Islay Watson picked up bronze.

The two-time Olympic windsurfing bronze medallist swept aside her international competition, including Paris 2024 champion Marta Maggetti, to take the top spot at the iQFOiL Games in Lanzarote.

A victorious Emma Wilson sprays the winner's champagne (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)
A victorious Emma Wilson sprays the winner's champagne (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)

Christchurch’s Wilson, 25, racked up ten podium race finishes in qualifying before winning the all-important medal final to kick off her campaign for LA 2028 in style.

It was a welcome comeback for Wilson, who, after dominating the Paris 2024 Olympics and then having to settle for a bronze medal, had hinted that she might not return to the sport.

A delighted Emma Wilson pumps the air after securing victory (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)
A delighted Emma Wilson pumps the air after securing victory (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)

“After the Olympics, I had a hard time and didn’t know whether to continue or not,” said Wilson.

“I had some good people around me that I’m really grateful for, and in the end, I just love windsurfing.”

A victorious Emma Wilson (left) celebrates with Islay Watson (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)
A victorious Emma Wilson (left) celebrates with Islay Watson (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)

Following criticism about fairness in the wake of Paris 2024, the iQFOiL class introduced a new medal race format that rewards consistent performance in the qualifying stage of the regatta.

Rather than a single winner-takes-all race, the final now sees the top three athletes compete to be the first to win two races, with the regatta leader taking one win into the final.

Emma Wilson leads in full flight (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)
Emma Wilson leads in full flight (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)

Smaller sails have also been introduced – 8m for men and 7.3m for women – to make the sport more accessible.

“This new format is good for me and good for everyone. I’m excited for the future,” Wilson added.

Emma Wilson leads the fleet in Lanzarote (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)
Emma Wilson leads the fleet in Lanzarote (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)

“I’ve been waiting a long time to win a medal race, so this means a lot to me, and I’m super happy.”

Watson, Wilson’s training partner for Paris 2024, also impressed, clawing her way from fifth up to third with sensational quarter and semi-final performances.

Emma Wilson pulls clear of the field in Lanzarote (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)
Emma Wilson pulls clear of the field in Lanzarote (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)

Meanwhile, reigning U19 world champion Darcey Shaw from Poole cemented her reputation as one to watch, putting in a stellar shift to finish 11th from 32 athletes.

At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Britain’s number one ranked windsurfer entered the winner-takes-all Olympic finale off the back of a dominant qualification campaign in which she amassed a 30-point lead, but a slow start left her in her rivals’ wake.

Emma Wilson secured the win against a world class field (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)
Emma Wilson secured the win against a world class field (Photo: Sailing Energy/iQFOiL Class)

Wilson had finished well clear at the top of the standings after winning eight of the 14 preliminary races, coming outside the top three just once, but was third in the one-off final.

At the last world championships, also in Lanzarote, Wilson won 15 of the 20 opening races but finished with silver behind Kantor in the final, so getting across the line in first place lifted a weight off Wilson’s shoulders.



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