Three-time Olympic medallist Anne-Marie Rindom is returning to the ILCA 6 class as she sets her sights on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, following a break from international competition and the birth of her child.
The Danish sailor, who won bronze at Rio 2016, gold at Tokyo 2020 and silver at Paris 2024, is the latest leading sailor to rediscover the attraction of the single-handed Olympic dinghy.
Her comeback follows Ireland's Annalise Murphy, the Rio 2016 silver medallist, who returned to ILCA racing after five years away, won the Irish National Championships, and then competed at the Women's World Championship on Dublin Bay.
For Rindom, the appeal lies as much in the competitive environment as in the boat itself.
“It's the amazing environment and the people, particularly on the Danish team,” she told the International Laser Class Association (ILCA). “We have a really good cooperation, and it's a lot of fun to be part of. Then there's the competition in the ILCA: so many boats. That's what I love about the class.”
Olympic Ambition – Denmark's Anne-Marie Rindom celebrates her bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. A decade later, the three-time Olympic medallist is returning to ILCA 6 racing with a fourth Olympic medal in her sights at Los Angeles 2028. Photo: Sailing Energy
Olympic champions drawn back to the ILCA
The return of two Olympic medallists underlines the enduring appeal of one of sailing's most competitive classes.
In the ILCA 6, equipment is tightly controlled, placing the emphasis on sailing ability, physical fitness, tactics and the ability to respond to changing wind and sea conditions. Even for sailors who have already reached the Olympic podium, mastering the boat and competing against large international fleets remains a powerful draw.
Rindom and Murphy are not alone in returning to ILCA competition. Croatia's Tonči Stipanović and Brazilian sailing legend Robert Scheidt have also demonstrated the class's remarkable longevity at the highest level.
Los Angeles 2028 in Rindom's sights
Rindom's immediate objective is to regain her competitive form following two years away from the Danish national team. The ILCA 6 World Championship in Brazil in January 2027 is expected to provide an early indication of her progress as she works towards a possible Olympic appearance in Los Angeles.
The Danish sailor's return also represents a new phase in her sporting career as she balances motherhood with the demands of elite international competition.
A particularly close Irish parallel: Murphy also returned to the class after becoming a mother. The National Yacht Club sailor won the Irish title in July before racing at the 2026 ILCA 6 Women's World Championship on Dublin Bay. Unlike Rindom, however, Murphy has not announced a campaign for LA28.
The Irish Connection – Ireland's Annalise Murphy celebrates her silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Like Rindom, the Irish sailing star has rediscovered the attraction of ILCA racing, returning to the class in 2026 after a five-year absence and winning the Irish National Championships. Photo: Sailing Energy
Whether Rindom can add another Olympic medal to her collection remains an open question. But her return further endorses the ILCA's enduring appeal. As the class association observes, some sailors move on, while others return. For some, the ILCA never really lets go.
