Erica Dawson

Erica Dawson is a New Zealand Olympic sailor who has transitioned from successful junior and youth sailing to becoming a bronze medalist in the Nacra 17 class. After demonstrating significant potential throughout her junior and youth career, Erica Dawson became the only female sailor to win the coveted Starling National Championships. Her early competitive experience continued with a formidable fifth-place finish at the 2012 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in the girls’ 420 event, where she partnered with Ellie Copeland. Dawson further advanced her career trajectory, making her debut in the challenging 49er FX class at the 2014 49er & 49er FX European Championships, achieving a notable 28th place, once again competing alongside Copeland.

Dawson also actively leverages her platform to contribute to broader environmental protection efforts through her involvement with the Live Ocean Racing ETF26 Team, supporting various projects aimed at crucial ocean conservation. The culmination of her relentless dedication, strategic prowess, and consistent performance came at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. There, Erica Dawson and Micah Wilkinson secured a bronze medal in the fiercely contested mixed multihull Nacra 17 event, marking a significant career highlight and establishing New Zealand’s second sailing medal of the games.