Erin McIlwaine and Ellen Barbour are seeking financial and public support for their campaign to represent their country in the 49erFX class at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. In an August 2026 feature, the RYA highlighted the pair's Mile by Mile fundraising initiative and invited supporters to learn about the costs behind a high-performance sailing programme.
Two sailors build a long Olympic campaign
Erin McIlwaine and Ellen Barbour are seeking financial and public support for their campaign to represent their country in the 49erFX class at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. In an August 2026 feature, the RYA highlighted the pair's Mile by Mile fundraising initiative and invited supporters to learn about the costs behind a high-performance sailing programme.
The 49erFX is a fast, twin-trapeze skiff that demands coordinated boat handling, fitness and continual practice. Its equipment is very different from an ordinary family dinghy, but the sailing principles of communication, preparation and adapting to the conditions will be familiar to many club racers.
Why the miles cost money
An international campaign typically includes coaching, training camps, travel to regattas, entry expenses, boat maintenance and replacement parts. Competing consistently also demands time away from regular work or study. The sailors have established a GoFundMe campaign to help meet these demands rather than presenting qualification as an already-secured outcome.
Crowdfunding can provide useful assistance, but any donation decision should be based on the current campaign terms and the recipient's verified page. Donors should not assume that contributing guarantees Olympic selection or that a particular budget item will be fully covered by one contribution.
The connection with club sailing
An Olympic programme begins with skills that young sailors often first encounter in ordinary training groups: controlling a boat in changing wind, working effectively with a crew and recovering from mistakes during racing. A successful local pathway makes it possible for beginners to build experience before deciding whether competition at a high level appeals to them.
The pair's story can give young sailors an insight into the persistence required beyond winning a club trophy. Training and competition are a gradual process, and a close partnership matters because two sailors must commit to a common plan while managing the pressures of travel and racing.
Keeping the ambition in perspective
The RYA introduction describes an aspiration towards LA 2028, not a confirmed team selection. Eligibility, qualification and national selection processes will take place on their own terms. Funding and preparation remain valuable even if a future campaign changes course or faces unexpected challenges.
For readers who enjoy small-boat sailing, Erin and Ellen's initiative is a reminder that elite racing depends on a wider network of coaches, families, volunteers and supporters. Their public appeal offers a specific opportunity to follow one team's progress while celebrating the skills developed in the grassroots sailing community. Keeping the boat prepared for training is also a routine task that rarely appears in coverage of medal races. Sails, rigging, controls and hull condition need regular attention, and these practical responsibilities can consume time that spectators might imagine is spent exclusively on racing.
Source
Royal Yachting Association