Sam Sills is feeling more confident every day

The athlete from Launceston ensured he remains in medal contention at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, making the gold fleet on the second day of racing, ranked 23rd after the preliminary series.

Sills was met with a strong 20-knot wind in Portland Harbour and a fourth-place finish was the highlight of the Brit’s day with eighth-place and 14th-place finishes, as well as a discarded 29th-place performance, the rest of his results on Tuesday.

Sills ended his preliminary series with three top 10 performances from his first eight races in Dorset.

“It’s amazing to be here representing Great Britain, the organisers have done such an amazing job," said the Paris Olympian.

“The conditions were difficult, it was a lot stronger in the breeze. It was mental, I got the wind coming from the land, so it was very gusty and shifty at high speed.

“I was pretty nervous going into the first day of racing, but now we’re into thick of the action, I’m keeping it as simple as possible and pushing as hard as I can.”

Sills is one of three Cornish sailors competing for the British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad, alongside Max Beaman from Falmouth and Finn Hawkins of St Austell. He was proud to be part of a strong Cornish contingent in Dorset.

“I started sailing on Roadford Lake,” he added, “and I have good memories there.

“We have a strong Cornish team and Finn was an amazing training partner ahead of Paris 2024. Max has also just finished at the University of Portsmouth, I'm happy he’s got the opportunity here.”

The British Sailing Team windsurfer will fight to make the finals series at the windsurfing and sailing venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

He made the top-half cutoff and will race in the elimination series from Wednesday to Friday, in order to decide the top 10 of the gold fleet who will have the right to race for medals.

All the action is building towards the finale on Saturday, with a Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion bringing windsurfing to spectators and families by the Jurassic Coast seaside.

The elimination series start on Wednesday 9 September in both men’s and women’s competitions, with 10 British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad athletes in the running.

Duncan Monaghan is the leading British man into the elimination series while Islay Watson is the leading British woman, with six more British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad men in the running for the medal finals this weekend.

The Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026 are taking place from 7-12 September. Get closer to the action on the final day by visiting the Fan Zone on Weymouth Pavilion to enjoy a full day of live racing, big-screen coverage, music, family activities, food and opportunities to get out on the water. Find out more at rya.org.uk