Emma Plasschaert


Emma Plasschaert is a Belgian sailor. She is a two-time World Champion in the Laser Radial class. She ended fourth in that class at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Career

Plasschaert is born in Ostend, the largest city at the Belgian coast. She started her career in the small Optimist class, and after five years switched to the Europe class. She then switched to the Laser Radial class in 2010, and became part of the team around Evi Van Acker, who would win the bronze medal the 2012 Olympics. Plasschaert got her first top ten finishes at the World Championships in 2013 and 2014.
In August 2018 she became 2018 Sailing [World Championships|world champion] in the Laser Radial class, beating 2016 Olympic gold medalist Marit Bouwmeester. Three years later she won a second world title. In 2023 she married Australian sailer Matthew Wearn.

Awards

  • 2011: Young Sailor of the Year award from Belgian Sailing
  • 2013: Female Sailor of the Year award from Belgian Sailing
  • 2018: Female Sailor of the Year award from Belgian Sailing
  • 2019: Female Sailor of the Year award from Belgian Sailing