Emma Wilson voiced concerns about sailing officials potentially jeopardizing athletes’ mental well-being after encountering a contentious new format, resulting in her securing a bronze medal in windsurfing for the second time during the competition in Marseille on Saturday.
The 25-year-old placed last among three competitors in a winner-takes-all medal race, a format implemented post-Tokyo Games to heighten the stakes at the conclusion of the event.
Wilson secured a direct passage to the final by topping the qualifying standings, winning eight out of 14 races, but had to watch her opponents acclimate to the conditions while vying for a spot in the final.
Holding a slim lead at the midway point of the final, Wilson ultimately misjudged her path and finished significantly behind her rivals, with Italy’s Marta Maggetti claiming gold and Israel’s Sharon Kantor, who qualified second, taking silver.
“It’s clear that I’m at a disadvantage, and I believe the [sailing officials] need to acknowledge this and consider the mental well-being of the athletes,” an emotional Wilson stated after the race.
“Putting people in this position repeatedly isn’t acceptable. I led by 60 points at the World Championships and had a 30-point lead here. I’m not sure how many times I can bounce back. I think I might be done with this sport.”
At the World Championships last year in Lanzarote, Wilson triumphed in 15 of 20 races yet still ended up with silver behind Kantor in the medal race. Apart from kitesurfing, which is a new Olympic event, windsurfing is the sole sailing class adopting this revised format.
Wilson excelled in the qualifying races in Marseille, finishing outside the top three only once and outpacing the eventual gold medalist Maggetti in all but one race. Following the cancellation of the final series of qualifying races due to light winds on Thursday, she earned direct entry to the final.
Minutes before the medal race, Kantor and Maggetti had secured first and second place, respectively, in a semi-final held on the same course.
They opted for a different route than Wilson midway through the final, resulting in her finishing over half a minute after the winner crossed the line.
after newsletter promotion
“I simply miscalculated on the lay line,” Wilson clarified, referring to the decision needed to reach the next buoy in the fastest way. “I hadn’t yet raced, while the other competitors were already familiar with the lay line.
“These competitors are exceptional; Marta is a wonderful friend and sailor, and I couldn’t be happier for her. However, I’m uncertain about enduring that format again.”
“I hope I can motivate some young athletes. My performance this week shows that one can excel in a sport, and through hard work, great things can happen; that alone is a victory. While I would have loved to leave with a gold medal, I guess bronze will have to suffice.”
A spokesperson for World Sailing remarked: “The decision was made following a recommendation from the World Sailing events committee and approved by the council, which comprises elected representatives from national sailing federations.”
Wilson’s teammate, Sam Sills, who qualified for the quarter-finals in fifth place, advanced to the semi-finals, where he finished last and did not progress to the final.
