Wilson hopes home comforts can propel her to a successful defence

The Nottingham-born windsurfer grew up on the Dorset coast in Christchurch and is based near the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, which is hosting next week’s Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026.

Wilson completed her set at the event with gold in Aarhus last year, having won bronze and silver in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and the two-time Olympic bronze medallist is eager to show what she can do on home waters.

“It’s definitely a bit different,” she said. “I haven’t had to travel around the world to compete, I can just get out of bed each morning and cycle down to the club, do my thing and go home. I can even be with my dog!

“I always feel the pressure, probably mainly on myself, but I’ve never had a big competition here at home.

“I’ve been competing in Weymouth since I was 12, it’s where you come to enter the British team, so I have experience racing here. It’s cool that we can show how good windsurfing is as a sport.

“The British squad is pushing hard, and all the British sailors are excited to show how cool Weymouth-Portland is. Hopefully, we can get more events in the UK off the back of the World Championships.

“In Weymouth-Portland, we get every condition possible. We have flat water in the harbour then waves into the bay – you don’t know what you’re going to get.

“People have been training here all summer and the level is super high, so I think it will be a big old battle.”

Both the men’s and women’s reigning champions are British, with Andy Brown joining Wilson in entering the week with a title to defend.

Success in iQFOiL reflects the British Sailing Team’s position as the most successful Olympic sailing nation in history, with 64 medals, and the fast-paced, exhilarating discipline is set to thrill fans on the south coast with two years until it returns to the Olympic programme in LA.

Wilson is relaxed ahead of her title defence, as she prepares to hit speeds of up to 35 knots. The pressure, as she sees it, is on the challengers looking to steal her crown.

She said: “It’s super nice and pretty chill. Obviously, there’s maybe a bit more pressure on me, but I think I will enjoy it and make the most of the situation.

“What I achieved last year was amazing and no one can take that away from me. I’m really happy to have won at the World Championships but I also know that at this Championships, everyone will be gunning for the title.

“I don’t see the pressure being on me, I see everyone going for the title and giving me a good challenge, which is why we do sport.

“I’ll sail with a smile on my face. If someone told me when I was 12 that I would be in this position, I would say, ‘dude, that’s so cool!

"There’s quite a few people planning to watch. Normally I’m competing all over the world but my family and friends can watch this year, which is great.”

The Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026 are taking place from 7-12 September. Get closer to the action on the final day by visiting the Fan Zone on Weymouth Pavillion to enjoy a full day of live racing, big-screen coverage, music, family activities, food, and opportunities to get out on the water. Find out more at rya.org.uk