Sophie Jackson & Jamie Randall – On the Road to the 2028 Olympics

Hi, we’re Sophie Jackson and Jamie Randall, a determined 470 sailing team (AUS6) representing Australia on the path to the 2028 Olympic Games.

Within just a few short months of teaming up in 2024, we made a mark on the Australian sailing scene—winning Sail Sydney, the 470 Oceania Championships at Sail Melbourne, and the 2025 Australian National Championships. Our strong team dynamic, mutual trust, and relentless work ethic have laid the foundation for future success on the international stage.

We’re backed by the Western Australian Institute of Sport, with former 470 World #1 Chris Charlwood as our coach, and are training full-time in Perth. Despite our early successes, the next stage of our journey—international racing and eventual qualification for the 2028 LA Olympics—requires significant self-funding. We’re asking for your support to help us compete internationally and represent Australia at the highest level.

Dreams and Goals

Our goal is clear: to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games in the 470 class. 2024 has shown us what we are capable of. With a strong base of results already under our belts, we’re aiming to convert our domestic dominance into international competitiveness, working toward selection to the Australian Sailing Team through consistent top-level performances in 2025.

This means training full-time, racing internationally, and continually refining our skills with world-class competition. The opportunity to represent Australia on the Olympic stage would be the culmination of years of sacrifice, teamwork, and passion for the sport.

Our 2025 Campaign Plan

• March & April: Sailing Grand Slam Series x 2 – Spain & France
• June: Sailing Grand Slam Series – Germany
• September: Japanese National Championships - Japan
• Ongoing: National Training Centre sessions in Sydney and regattas across Australia
• Ongoing: Daily Training Environment in Perth, with Sophie re-locating in 2025 to live in Perth fulltime.

This campaign is critical for us to assess and address key performance areas through high-quality international racing, which is vital for Olympic-level preparation.

Budget Breakdown:

• Travel (Flights, Transport, Insurance, Food): $27,000
• Coaching: $14,000
• Boat Transport : $11,800
• Accomodation: $8,700
• Equipment: $14,300
• Competition Entry Fees: $3,900

• Total: $79,700
• Fundraising target #1: $30,000

How the Funds Will Be Used:

Each donation will directly support our ability to compete and train at the highest level. We pay to own, store and upkeep our 470s in both Perth and Barcelona, and have to transport these boats to our various competition venues, as well as continually purchase new sails to have the same quality as the rest of the fleet. In our first Europe trip we are sharing transport and accommodation costs with other Australian teams, and are provided with coaching support from Australian Sailing. However, we are the only Australian team attending the Sailing Grand Slam in Germany and will be investing in a private coach, where we know we’ll gain crucial high-level racing experience not otherwise available at home.

Million Dollar Challenge

We’re incredibly proud to be part of the Aussie Athlete Fund’s Million Dollar Challenge, powered by Ampol. This initiative connects 100 Australian athletes with businesses to raise $10,000 each, building toward a collective goal of $1 million to support our Olympic dreams.

Driven by 5-time Olympian Nat Cook OAM, this challenge gives athletes like us a platform to find the support we need. We’ll soon be announcing our business partner who will work with us to mentor, network, and fundraise for our campaign. This team effort will help fund travel, equipment, training, and competition costs across our crucial 2025 season.

Learn more about the Million Dollar Challenge here.

Join our Olympic journey.

Every donation brings us closer to the 2028 Olympics. Your support not only funds our campaign but fuels a story of passion, perseverance, and Australian sporting pride.

Every donation—no matter how small—directly impacts our ability to train and race. Sophie balances her Olympic campaign with work as a PE and Outdoor Ed teacher, while Jamie coaches sailing and studies Engineering at Curtin University. With greater financial support, we can reduce our work hours and put more energy into what matters most—training and competing for Australia.

Thank you so much for being part of our team. Let’s make this journey to LA 2028 unforgettable—together.