The Australian Sailing Team has announced a robust squad of 12 athletes set to compete at the 2027 World Sailing Championships in Fortaleza, Brazil, in January. This event presents the first opportunity for sailors to secure Olympic qualification for Australia at LA2028 in the single-handed classes.
The championships will include the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, iQFoil, and Formula Kite classes, with races across both men’s and women’s divisions. This edition is significant as it marks the first occasion where single-handed and double-handed classes will be contested separately. Other Olympic classes will vie for qualification at the World Sailing Championships in Gdynia, Poland, in July 2027.
High Performance Director Iain Brambell commented on the importance of the championships, stating, “The 2027 World Sailing Championships represent an important milestone on the road to LA2028, with our athletes having their first opportunity to secure Olympic quotas for the country in the single-handed classes.”
Brambell highlighted the selection of a team that combines Olympic experience with exceptional talent, emphasizing the aim to create a conducive environment for athletes to perform at their peak.
Leading the Australian contingent is double Olympic Champion Matt Wearn, who is pursuing a historic third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the ILCA7 class. He will be joined by 2025 World Championships bronze medallist Zac Littlewood, along with National Squad members Ethan McAullay and Isaac Schotte.
In the ILCA 6, Paris Olympian Zoe Thomson and 2020 Olympian Mara Stransky will compete alongside Evie Saunders and Casey Imeneo, aiming for a top-16 finish to qualify Australia for LA2028 in the women’s single-handed class.
Australia’s representation in the iQFoil includes Olympic silver medallist Grae Morris and 2025 U19 World Champion Rory Meehan in the men’s fleet. In the women’s division, Stella Bilger, a 2026 World Championships bronze medallist, will strive for a top-10 finish to secure a quota spot for LA2028.
Completing the team is Paris 2024 Olympian Breiana Whitehead in the Formula Kite, who is targeting qualification for her second Olympic Games following a fifth-place finish at the Formula Kite European Championships earlier this year. Eight nation quotas will be available for the Formula Kite category.
The team selection process focused on optimising Australia’s standing as it approaches LA2028, prioritising performance outcomes, effective team operations, and addressing logistical and health considerations for competing in Brazil.
For a detailed overview of the team selection, please refer to the published selection guidelines available on the team’s website.
Follow the Australian Sailing Team
Web: www.australiansailingteam.com.au
Instagram: @aussailingteam
Facebook: @aussailingteam
Source: Lisa Darmanin – Australian Sailing Team Communications & Brand Lead
#AustralianSailing #SailingChampionships #OlympicSailing #LA2028 #FortalezaSailing
Interested in seeing more Racing News? Click here
Want to see what we’ve written about Australian Sailing lately? Click here
