It would be tough to argue that Nottingham-born, Dorset-based Emma Wilson has home advantage at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games but the windsurfer claims the conditions are reminding her of the UK.
Wilson is certainly making the most of that familiarity on the waters of Sagami Bay as she tops the RS:X class with just three races and the medal race still to come in the regatta.
Wednesday was another productive day for the Brit as she won the first two races and although she was disqualified from race three, the format of Olympic racing allows her to drop her worst performance across the week from her total score – meaning her spot in the standings wasn’t affected.
Wilson now leads China’s Lu Yunxiu by a single point and France’s Charline Picon by three, with the trio having a considerable advantage over the rest of the field.
It makes leaving Tokyo with an Olympic medal seem more and more likely with each passing race and Wilson was understandably delighted with her Wednesday display.
“It was really good, I’ve had two really good races and then I don’t know about the third, but I’m happy,” said Wilson, whose tilt at Tokyo glory is being broadcast live on Eurosport and Discovery+.
“I was just trying to focus on my thing and go around inflatable marks fast and that’s all I can do really other than keep smiling.
“I was going quickly, I wasn’t really expecting to go that fast but me and the English girls have been training really hard in Weymouth, with the group of boys as well.
“We were fast there, and it was quite a lot like Weymouth here today. It was really nice, perfect windsurfing conditions and I really enjoyed it."
Having had back-to-back days of racing, Wilson and the rest of the RS:X class had a day off on Tuesday before returning to the water for the three races 24 hours later.
But there was no danger of the 22-year-old completely switching off from the Olympics in her down-time.
“I slept, I ate and watched quite a lot of the Olympics actually," said Wilson of how she spent her rest day.
"I watched the Brits in the swimming, I’m just a massive sports fan so it’s kind of cool. Seeing so many Brits winning is obviously really cool.
“With anyone watching the Olympics, it inspires everyone to do whatever they’re doing."
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