It’s the week of the Opening Ceremony and time to introduce you to the final member of the Australian Sailing Team competing at Paris 2024. 

Doing Australia proud in the ILCA 7 class is reigning Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn. We spoke with Matt ahead of his second Olympic Games where he will fly the Aussie flag once again on the waters of Marseille. 

Matt Wearn CREDIT Beau Outteridge

What’s your favourite thing about Sailing?
I think it would be the camaraderie of the group. In the men's dinghy at the Olympics we have competitors ranging from their young twenties to people in their fourtees and we all know each other. I think that side of things makes the dinghy quite a special class and sailing quite a special sport.

Do you remember your first time sailing as a kid?
Yeah I remember being at Royal Perth Yacht Club doing the Sunday afternoon racing. There wer other people there who had obviously been sailing for 20-plus years and would offer me advice and I can still remember some of that advice today. It’s quite special that we had such a nice community at the sailing club - and still do - and that those memories can live with you for your whole career.

What would you say to someone looking to try their hand at sailing?
Sailing is a fantastic sport. Australian Sailing has put a fantastic program in place with Discover Sailing and sailing really is a sport for life, so it doesn't matter what age you are. Go on down to your local sailing club and enrol.

Where is your favourite place to sail in Australia?
My favourite place to sail in Australia is Mandura, south of Perth. I think it offers some fantastic conditions - good waves, good wind.

What about Paris 2024 are you most looking forward to?
I think having everyone around again - family, friends and spectators - will make for an amazing atmosphere. I think it’ll be a great show.

 To learn more about Matt and the other members of the Australian Sailing Team competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, click here.