Sailing: GB's Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris win first 470 world title

BBC Published Aug 17, 2026 Reviewed Aug 18, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris won their first world title at the 470 World Championship in Enoshima, Japan.

1 · world title

Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris will defend their world title next June at the Sailing World Championships in Gdynia, Poland.

1 · world title defense

The 2024 Sailing World Championships will be the first opportunity to secure Great Britain a quota place in the 470 class at the 2028 Olympics.

1 · quota place opportunity

British sailing duo Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris have established themselves as favorites for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by winning gold at the 470 World Championship in Japan.

The pair claimed their first world title in Enoshima, bettering the bronze they won a year ago by holding off a fightback from defending champions and long-time rivals Jordi Xammar and Marta Cardona of Spain.

"To win the worlds for the first time is really special. It's extra special for it to have been here in Japan where it feels like the unofficial home of the 470," said Harris.

"The racing was hard, conditions were tricky but at the end of the day we gave it our all and I couldn't be prouder of how we've managed to finish this year."

Wrigley and Harris will defend their world title next June at the Sailing World Championships in Gdynia, Poland.

That will also be the first opportunity to secure Great Britain a quota place in the 470 class at the 2028 Olympics.

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