Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Wilson wins Princess Sofia Trophy as Brits dominate in Palma

by British Sailing Team 7 Apr 07:16 UTC 28 March - 5 April 2025
iQFOiL gold for Emma Wilson at the 54th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS © Sailing Energy / Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca

Sailors Emma Wilson and Micky Beckett spearheaded a massive nine-medal haul - the best in the event's history - at the LA 2028 cycle curtain raiser.

Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Wilson won the top award at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia, the prestigious Olympic sailing season opener in Palma de Mallorca, in recognition of her sheer dominance in the iQFOiL windsurfing class.

Team GB athlete Beckett won the ILCA 7 men's dinghy fleet for an unprecedented fourth time in a row, doing so with a day to spare.

Golds followed for Tokyo 2020 silver medallists John Gimson and Anna Burnet in the Nacra 17, Freya Black and Saskia Tidey in the 49erFX and Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris in the 470.

Lily Young took silver in the women's Formula Kite fleet with Paris 2024 gold medallist Ellie Aldridge taking bronze.

Elliot Hanson, who competed at Tokyo 2020, marked his return to Olympic class racing following some time away from the circuit with a silver medal in the ILCA 7, while Daisy Collingridge bagged her first medal at senior level with a bronze in the ILCA 6.

The colossal medal haul put Great Britain firmly at the top of the medal table, with Australia's two golds putting them in second ahead of China with one gold, one silver and one bronze.

It's thought the results are the best ever by any nation in the 54-year history of the regatta.

To top off the celebrations Wilson was awarded the Princess Sofia Trophy, the regatta's top prize, after she won 14 out of 21 races in the foiling windsurfer fleet.

Wilson said: "It's crazy - I wasn't expecting it at all. There are names on this trophy like Ben Ainslie, people I've looked up to since I was a kid. To have my name on there now is pretty cool."

Mark Robinson, RYA Performance Director, said: "I couldn't be prouder of the team's performances this week.

"To finish the regatta with nine medals including five golds is a real statement of intent as we look towards LA 2028.

"It's no secret that we didn't reach our full potential in Marseille last summer, but if this week is anything to go by the future is bright for the British Sailing Team."

The British Sailing Team will now turn its attention to the Semaine Olymique Francaise in Hyeres, France, the second round of the newly formed Sailing Grand Slam, later this month.

Medallists:

Emma Wilson, 25, Christchurch, Dorset: gold, iQFOiL
Saskia Tidey, 31, Portland, Dorset: gold, 49erFX
Freya Black, 23, Goudhurst, Kent: gold, 49erFX
Martin Wrigley, 28, Hereford: gold, 470
Bettine Harris, 22, Axbridge, Somerset: gold, 470
Micky Beckett, 30, Solva, Pembrokeshire: gold, ILCA 7
John Gimson, 42, Congleton, Cheshire: gold, Nacra 17
Anna Burnet, 32, Shandon, Scotland: gold, Nacra 17
Lily Young, 26, Weymouth, Dorset: silver, Formula Kite
Elliot Hanson, 31, Macclesfield, Cheshire: silver, ILCA 7
Ellie Aldridge, 28, Poole, Dorset: bronze, Formula Kite
Daisy Collingridge, 25, London: bronze, ILCA 6

Related Articles

Helping boaters steer clear of common mistakes
Veteran Sea Tow® captains share their tips Boating season is already in full throttle, and Sea Tow®, recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea®, is proud to offer boating tips to avoid some of the most common mistakes seen on the water. Posted on 24 Jul
TATULA is Tops at ICAST 2025
All out with the new 23 model lineup of cork handle bass rods DAIWA goes all out with new 23 model lineup of 2025 TATULA cork handle bass rods and wins coveted Best Freshwater Rod at ICAST 2025. Posted on 24 Jul
Owner shares why he loves his WorldCat 325DC
Chuck highlights the unique experiences and cherished moments created Embark on the adventures of Chuck Smith, proud owner of the WorldCat 325DC. In this short testimonial, Chuck shares the joys of sandbar outings, fishing escapades, and family travels made possible by the versatility of the 325DC. Posted on 23 Jul
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction. Posted on 22 Jul
Mercury Marine expands V10 Verado lineup
With all-new 425hp outboard and enhanced 350hp model Mercury Marine today announced the latest expansion of its award-winning Verado® outboard lineup with the introduction of the all-new V10 425hp Verado outboard and a performance enhanced version of the V10 350hp Verado outboard. Posted on 22 Jul
The after party starts now!
Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third - M7 Posted on 21 Jul
Lowrance software update offers new features
New Trolling Motor features, Live Sonar enhancement Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics, today announced the release of software update 25.2, which is packed with innovative trolling motor features, significant enhancements to ActiveTarget® 2, and expanded third-party integrations. Posted on 16 Jul
DAIWA: Humbled and Honored
Carey Graves accepts Executive Officer role with parent company Globeride, Inc. American DAIWA Corp. President Carey Graves accepts Executive Officer role with parent company Globeride, Inc. Posted on 16 Jul
Lowrance® unveils Ghost® X Trolling Motor
Effortless positioning for a perfect cast every time Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics, today announced the Ghost® X 47-inch trolling motor, designed for freshwater and featuring an enhanced precision directional indicator, increased power, and the quietest motor yet. Posted on 16 Jul
DAIWA: The 9 Lives of Line
New offerings were popping up like prairie dogs Available in August, XBRAID's new FULLDRAG X9 brings big game fishing the pinnacle in 9-strand braided line technology and advanced manufacturing techniques. Posted on 15 Jul
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M50