Matt Wearn
A Journey of Resilience and Triumph in the World of Sailing.
Matthew Wearn OAM is a prominent Australian sailor with an exceptional skillset and unwavering dedication. Matt was introduced to sailing at a young age, captivated by the sport's challenges and the inspiring Olympic champions. Initially torn between a potential career in Australian Rules football and sailing, Matt’s decision to pursue sailing, specifically in the Laser/ILCA class, has proven remarkably successful, having earned early achievements in the Optimist and 420 classes.
Matt’s remarkable achievements include winning back-to-back gold medals in the ILCA class at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as two World Championships titles, three silver medals, and a bronze. Additionally, Matt has claimed the European Championship title twice and the Australian National Championship six times, further showcasing his dominance and consistency in competitions. His performance in the Sailing World Cup circuit highlighted his versatility and skill even more, showcasing his ability to excel under various conditions, having finished with multiple podium places.
Despite numerous challenges, such as missing national team selection in 2014 and battling long Covid in 2022, Matt has made incredible comebacks attributed to his resilience and unique strategic sense. His dedication to physical fitness, mental resilience, and strategic planning has been pivotal in Matt’s continued success, and has been granted prestigious honours, including the Australian Sailor of the Year awards in 2018 and 2023, and the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022.
He also received recognition as the Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the year (2023), Western Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the year (2018 & 2021), and was a nominee for Rolex World Sailor of the Year (2023).
Outside of sailing, Matt has continued his passion for other sports, including AFL, mountain and road cycling, and motorsport. His unwavering commitment to sailing and his inspiring journey continue to resonate within the sailing community and beyond. Matt’s proven leadership and teamwork skills in high pressure environments, combined with a dedication to excellence and continuous improvement, have made him a highly sought-after figure in the world of competitive sports.