74 FEATURERYA
Andy Brown
Whilst Shaw faces new challenges on her Olympic path,
senior circuit newcomer Emma Wilson is already proving to
be a star in the making with a clear and determined focus.
With three youth RS:X world titles to her name, the 19-year-
old has taken that form on the senior stage to score top
results and continually feature in the medal race at big
events. “I am really happy with my season this year,” said
Wilson. “I have had some great results with fourth at the
worlds and third at the Europeans being the highlights. Also
making lots of medal races at the world cups has been great
experience.
“I feel like I’m improving every competition and am looking
forward to some hard training this winter and see what I can
do in 2019.”
The other female windsurfer joining Shaw and Wilson in
Japan was Saskia Sills, another former RS:X youth world
champion.
Sills has been battling injuries in recent years and had
surgery on both arms to relieve compartment syndrome, an
increased pressure which affects blood supply, but has
recovered well to fully focus on her racing. In a short time
Sills has been full steam ahead to get back to a competitive
level and finished 19th in Enoshima.
Coming off the back of a fourth at the World Championships
and qualifying the nation for Tokyo 2020, Kieran Holmes-
Martin showed the potential to take over the Olympic medal
winning mantle from the retired Nick Dempsey. Holmes-
Martin claimed a race win in Enoshima but unfortunately
uk
WIND
SURFING
narrowly missed out on the medal race this time around
finishing 11th overall.
Despite the disappointment of finishing outside of the top
ten, Holmes-Martin is looking at the positives from the year
and looking forward to even more progression as he
dedicates time to racing without any other distractions.
“I’ve had a really fun year,” said Holmes-Martin. “It’s been
my first year as a full-time athlete after graduating and to get
a fourth at the worlds especially was a highlight. I’ll definitely
kick on from that next year.”
Following closely behind in 12th overall was Tom Squires who
continues to push team mate Holmes-Martin in a tight knit
British windsurfing squad that also included Andy Brown who
finished 30th. For Brown 2018 has been all about
progression and gaining experience in the senior ranks and
to race in Enoshima has been invaluable for his growth in the
sport by being part of the British Sailing Team and testing
himself against the best in the world.
Following their first look at the Olympic Games race courses,
the British Sailing Team windsurfers have all returned home
from their Far East experience with a full winter training in store
to take on 2019 and continue the progress to Tokyo 2020.
For more information about the British
Sailing team visit
https://britishsailingteam.rya.org.uk/