British Sailing Team impress on LA28 waters with huge medal haul

British sailors won eight medals across the 10 Olympic classes at LA test events, including three golds

The British Sailing Team enjoyed a hugely encouraging summer on the waters of Los Angeles, winning eight medals across the 10 Olympic classes at the two test events – the Long Beach Regatta and San Pedro Olympic Regatta.

Emma Wilson and Andy Brown were among the standout performers at the Long Beach venue with Wilson taking gold in Long Beach and Brown delivering a strong performance as the windsurfers and kite foilers  gained valuable experience of the waters that will host the LA28 Olympic events.

Emma Wilson led the Women's iQFOiL fleet at the Long Beach OCR from start to finish (credit: Simone Staff/Long Beach OCR)

There were plenty more highlights as the boats took over in San Pedro. Hannah Snelgrove claimed an incredible ILCA 6 gold, just months after the loss of her father, while defending European champions Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris added another gold to Britain's haul in the 470. Welshman Micky Beckett also secured another Sailing Grand Slam medal with a bronze in the ILCA 7.

Hannah Snellgrove claimed an emotional gold just weeks after her father's death (credit: Colin Grey/San Pedro OCR)

The final week brought three more British medals. John Gimson and Anna Burnet took silver in the Nacra 17, while newly crowned European champions James Grummett and Rhos Hawes continued their fine form with silver in the 49er. Paris Olympians Freya Black and Saskia Tidey completed the podium places with bronze in the 49erFX – their first major medal of the season.

With two years still to go until LA28, the results provide an early indication of the strength and depth of  British Olympic sailing, while the experience gained on the future Olympic waters will prove invaluable as the road to Los Angeles gathers pace.

Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris continued their 470 dominance in 2026 with a win in San Pedro (credit: Colin Grey)