"It’s About Building Step by Step” – Emma Wilson on Winning, Loving the Process and What Comes Next!

For Emma Wilson, success is never accidental. It’s built session by session, race by race — and, most importantly, with genuine enjoyment for the sport.

Fresh from winning the opening event of the season, Emma was clear about what the result meant.

By Emma Maguire.

Emma who trains at the WPNSA continues her success.

“I’m super happy to win the first event of the year. It might not have been the most important one on the calendar, but the level was really high, so it’s a great way to start the season.”

An early-season regatta can often feel like a testing ground, but this one delivered a serious challenge. Four days of racing brought constantly changing conditions and a chance to compete across all formats.

Olympic medalist Emma Wilson won the 2026 iQFoil International Games in Lanzarote.

“We had four days of racing in loads of different conditions, which was perfect. We did all the formats, so it felt like proper race practice — and I’m really pleased I managed to stay consistent throughout.”

Consistency is a word that comes up often in elite sport. In modern Olympic windsurfing — fast, tactical and physically demanding — the ability to deliver across shifting conditions is what separates podium finishers from the rest. For Emma, that steady performance across the board was just as satisfying as the win itself.

Victory in the women's fleet at Marina Rubicon cemented her top form early in the season.

But behind the medals and results lies something simpler.

“I think the biggest thing for me is that I genuinely love what I do. I enjoy the training, I enjoy pushing myself, and I feel really lucky that this is my job.”

That enjoyment fuels the hours on the water and in the gym. It’s what keeps momentum building long after the podium photos are taken.

Emma dominated the event, defeating Sharon Kantor (Israel) and Marta Maggetti (Italy) in challenging conditions.

“Staying mentally strong comes from enjoying the process. Even on tough days, I know I’m doing something I care about, and that makes a huge difference.”

With back-to-back Olympic bronze medals from Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Emma knows exactly what it takes to perform on the biggest stage. Yet her focus remains grounded in the daily work.

The immediate plan is simple and disciplined.

“I’ll stay in Lanzarote training until early March, then have a short break at home before Palma. It’s about building step by step toward the bigger goals.”

Those goals are already firmly in sight.

Wilson was consistent throughout the week, leading to her victory.

“Palma at the end of March is next, then the European Championships in Portugal in May. The focus now is preparing properly so I can be at my best for both.”

There’s no dramatic declaration, no overstatement — just clarity, structure and belief in the process.

For Emma Wilson, it’s never just about one event. It’s about momentum. And if this opening victory is anything to go by, the season ahead is already moving in the right direction.