MORNINGTON sailing athlete Sophie Jackson is set to compete in the World Championships in Japan this August as she works towards Olympic qualification.
Jackson began her sailing journey at six years old thanks to her father and grandfather’s long-term involvement with Mornington Yacht Club.
Now, Jackson is a 470 Australian National Champion, a 470 Oceania Champion, and is working her way towards being an Olympic athlete.
“For me, being a sailing athlete hits all of my values,” said Jackson.
“Being outdoors, adventure, challenge, and also health and fitness, and it kind of brings all those together and I get to experience that every day.”
Jackson has her sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“It would mean everything,” said Jackson.
“I’ve definitely been chasing that goal for such a long time and every day I’m working towards that goal, so to actually see it happen would be incredible.”
The world championships are the next step to Olympic qualification. If Jackson and her partner, Austin Cross, can place in the top 30, they will qualify for the Australian Sailing Squad.
Jackson recently returned from Japan, where she competed in an extra regatta at the championship venue.
“We were racing in a fleet of 120 boats last week, and we managed to finish fifth, which was a pretty awesome result,” said Jackson.
“It definitely gives us a bit of a confidence boost going into the worlds, but now it’s locking in for winter training and pushing really hard to get that top performance at the worlds.”
Jackson said she is out on the water training five to six days a week, as well as two days in the gym and four to five cardio sessions.
“Pursuing the Olympic pathway in any sport is obviously very tough,” said Jackson.
“It’s a full time commitment and there’s a lot of setbacks and challenges along the way and it’s obviously not for everyone. You have to be incredibly resilient and driven.”
One of the more challenging aspects of her Olympic journey has been funding.
“Funding the Olympic campaign is one of the toughest parts of it, trying to find enough money to be able to do it at the level that we want to do it,” said Jackson.
Jackson was selected as one of 100 athletes to be part of The Aussie Athlete Fund’s Million Dollar Challenge, which is supported by five time Olympian Natalie Cook.
The challenge aims to pair 100 athletes with 100 businesses to raise $10,000 for each athlete to help support their sporting goals.
Jackson is currently on the lookout for a business to sponsor her and help her achieve her dream of competing in the Olympics.
“I’m definitely on the lookout for a business and I’d love to partner with someone local,” said Jackson.
You can use this link for tax-free donations to help support Jackson’s journey at asf.org.au/campaigns/sophie-jackson.
First published in the Mornington News – 2 June 2026
