Going for Gold! An exclusive interview with Team GB windsurfer, Emma Wilson.
Going for Gold! An exclusive interview with Team GB windsurfer, Emma Wilson.
We talked with Team GB's Tokyo 2021 Olympic bronze medal-winning windsurfer Emma Wilson about her incredible sporting journey and her aims for the Paris 2024 Olympics later this year.
1.What so special about windsurfing?
I guess I really enjoy the speed of windsurfing but also the freedom, being on the water, it’s cool, you can go wherever you want just powered by the wind. I also love the competitive side, I think I’ve always been super competitive in whatever sport I’ve done so I think it suits me.
2. What’s the hardest part of your sport?
I think every sport is super hard when you get to the very top. Probably specifically to iQFoil racing all out for 5 days but still being fresh for the 6th day as that’s when the medals are really decided. I would say that’s mentally and physically the hardest part of our sport now.
3. What’s the top speed you’ve ever reached?
I think my best in training is 50.7km/h
4. How did you find the transition from the old to new Olympic discipline?
At the start I found it really tricky, mentally knowing everyone was at least a year ahead of me because I stayed longer on the RSX to do the Olympics and then physically I was too light. Now I am about 10kg heavier than I was in Tokyo so that was a bit of a change although it’s pretty nice not to always be on a diet!!
5. What does a 2nd Olympic selection mean to you?
It’s huge, my dream since I was kid has always been to try to win the Olympics so to get another shot at that is amazing. It’s not easy in Great Britain as we have a super high level but I think that really pushes whoever is selected to be really good. When I first jumped on iQFoil i couldn’t see how i was ever going to be selected, i told myself look at 2028, it’s more realistic but deep down I’m so competitive and I just gave it everything in training each day.
6. What’s your plan between now and the Paris 24 Olympic Games?
Now all my focus is on Paris, after the world championships last month I know I am in a pretty good place and I just want to keep building on that. I will do a few more competitions and then spend my time in between Marseille and Weymouth getting myself best prepared for the summer.
7. How do you like to travel between competitions?
Usually all my equipment is transported in a big van and then I am lucky that I fly to save my energy. When we were younger we would travel in the campervan.
8. What do you do in your downtime to relax?
If i’m at home I will walk my dog, go for coffee, eat nice, healthy food, when I’m away its always a bit harder to chill as you see people training everyday but I like to just go for coffee, sometimes I play mario, especially on race day when I’m nervous, it’s a great way to take your mind off what you’re about to do.
9. Where’s the place you would most like to windsurf but haven’t been yet?
I’d love to go to Hawaii, I think every windsurf kid dreams of that!
10. How is your sport addressing sustainability issues?
iQFoil has set up beach cleans at each event and now our new sails we buy don’t come with any plastic packaging which is a good step forward.
11. Do you see much plastic in the ocean while competing?
Each venue is different, some places we see a lot of plastic waste, food wrappers, plastic bags etc which is pretty sad , some places are much cleaner though
12. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen in the water?
I’ve seen big oil spills that are not nice, it gets everywhere and it’s just pretty sad to see