PORTLAND Olympic sailor Emma Wilson has launched her bid for Gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on the Canary ISland of Lanzarote today and wraps up on Sunday, February 2.

After missing the European Championships in October last year in favour of a well-earned rest in the wake of Paris 2024, double Olympic bronze medallist Wilson returns to the start line to kickstart her LA 2028 campaign.

Wilson, who lives on Portland and trains at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy will be joined by a host of up-and-coming British athletes including Alice Read, Jennie Roberts and under 19 world champion Darcey Shaw.

In the men’s fleet an eight-strong contingent will be led by under 23 world champion Finn Hawkins, and European silver and bronze medallists Andy Brown and Matt Barton

As the first big event of 2025, and arguable the LA 2028 cycle, the competition will see a change in the sails used.

The woman will be downsizing to a 7.3m sail and the men to an 8m sail. These changes have been brought in to make the sport more accessible to athletes of differing body types and create a fairer playing field.

Wilson said: She said: “I guess it’s a good chance to race on our new sail – we only got it a few weeks ago so everyone is new to it, which is kinda fun.

"After the Olympics I had a big break which I needed. Since January I’ve been back training with the British Sailing Team’s iQFOiL women’s squad and it’s been fun. I’m enjoying it and for me that’s what I want to keep doing.”