Sometimes the second wind is stronger

Southern California mom Lauren Wilson shares her story of a long-delayed dream:

My return to competitive sailing didn’t begin in an ILCA—it began in a Harbor 20 on a casual afternoon race with a group of local moms. It wasn’t a championship, it wasn’t serious, but it was the first time in years I’d felt the familiar pulse of race mode. After we docked, one of the women said, “I wish my kids could see me like that.”

That comment landed deeper than she realized. Mine do see me like that—and maybe it was time to show them even more.

I grew up racing Sabots and Lasers, achieved local prominence, and sailed on the US Sailing Team in the Europe Dinghy. But like many athletes, adulthood rerouted my trajectory. I built a creative career, raised two kids, and packed the Olympic dream away with the old gear bags in the garage.

When I stepped back into an ILCA 6 last year, I didn’t plan for anything beyond staying connected to the sport I love. But the more I trained, the stronger the pull became. Somewhere between a sunrise practice and a breezy downwind, I realized the dream wasn’t gone—it had just been waiting for me to be brave enough to pick it back up.

Over the past year, I have built a full comeback campaign toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, racing as Second Wind Racing. My season has taken me from Florida Masters Week to high-wind battles in San Francisco and, most notably, to the 2025 ILCA Masters World Championship in Italy, where I finished 18th overall and 7th woman in a fleet stacked with international talent.

Separately, through consistent racing across the continent, I’ve earned a spot as the 10th woman in North America in the Grand Prix ILCA 6 rankings—a result I never imagined hitting at 41, while juggling client work, preschool pickup, and charter-boat logistics.

None of this happens alone. The ILCA community—especially the Masters sailors—have made my return not only possible but joyful. They share tuning tips, rigging help, and reminders that late bloomers belong here too. The camaraderie is the heartbeat of this comeback.

My 2026 schedule is packed with North Americans, Pacific Coast Championship, the Sailing Grand Slam series, as well as other international events—all building toward the long-shot but fully committed goal of LA28. I’m sharing this journey because I want other women, parents, and “former athletes” to see that the door doesn’t close. Sometimes the second wind is stronger than the first.

For anyone who wants to follow along—or help support the travel and chartering required for the 2026 season—more can be found at SecondWindRacing.com.

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Sailing Program (July 16-28):
First Week – July 16-20
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA

Second Week – July 23-28
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 – Los Angeles, CA
Men’s Skiff – 49er – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17 – Los Angeles, CA

For more details, click here.