It’s bronze for Emma Wilson at Paris 2024, making her the first British woman to win back-to-back Olympic windsurfing medals.
Here’s what went down on an emotional day in Marseille.
iQFOiL women
Emma Wilson went into the iQFOiL medal series as the gold medal favourite on the back of an incredible eight wins from 14 races. Her sheer dominance was unquestionable – no other athlete even came close to matching her brilliance this week. But the route to an iQFOiL medal is fraught with jeopardy, and despite her authority she needed to win the three-athlete final-race shoot out.
Wilson started strongly and led after one lap of the course, but a slight layline error gave rivals Marta Maggetti and Sharon Kantor a chance back into the race. Wilson ultimately crossed the line in third, relegating her to the bronze medal position.
Devastated not to be bringing home a gold, Wilson said the medal series format needed to be reviewed.
“It’s so hard. As a person, I love it so much, that’s why I do it, but I’m not sure I can carry on with the format like this.”
iQFOiL men
Sam Sills knew that by qualifying for the medal series he had a shot at gold – and he went into the quarter final with the bit between his teeth. Pulling back from sixth to second, Sills secured his place in the four-athlete semis in style. He gave everything in the semi-final, and was right up there with the leaders until the final leg when he was forced to duck under the Dutch athlete, resulting in losing ground.
He finishes Paris 2024 in a highly respectable fifth place.
“The semi-final race was so intense, I thought I was inches away from a medal,” he said.
“I’m feeling elation and happiness and a bit of disappointment. But I’m also just so happy to have made it this far. I’m proud to be here. I’ve done it, I’ve got fifth. I’m happy.”
