As the countdown to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games continues, we’re catching up with Sailors for the Sea Ambassador Lara Dallman-Weiss in our Behind the Sail: Road to LA28 series. A two-time Olympian, Lara is embarking on her third Olympic campaign with a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude, and commitment, not only to excellence on the water, but also to protecting the oceans that have shaped her life and career.
We asked Lara to share what she’s looking forward to in 2026, what preparing for a home Olympics means to her, and how sailors everywhere can help make a difference for our blue planet.
Sailors for the Sea: As you continue your journey toward the LA 2028 Olympics, what are you most excited to accomplish in 2026, both in terms of your sailing performance and personal growth as an athlete?
Lara Dallman-Weiss:2026 is the first full year where our focus shifts from possibility to purpose. Every decision my teammate Justin and I make, from how we train, how we communicate, and how we recover, is laying the foundation for what we strive to accomplish in Los Angeles. What excites me most is the opportunity to build something from the ground up. Great teams aren’t created overnight; they’re shaped through thousands of small moments of trust, accountability, and shared commitment. I genuinely love that process.
Personally, I’m excited to continue growing beyond results. Competing in two Olympic Games has taught me that success comes from showing up every day with purpose, curiosity, and gratitude. I want to be a strong leader, supportive teammate, and someone who inspires others to chase ambitious goals while finding joy in the journey. If we build solid habits now, they’ll serve us far beyond 2028.
With Los Angeles 2028 bringing Olympic sailing to home waters, what opportunities in 2026 are you most looking forward to as you prepare for your third Olympic campaign?
Preparing for a third Olympic campaign is something I don’t take for granted. My Olympic journey has taken me from Tokyo to Paris, and now, I’m looking right in the eyes of Los Angeles. To train for a home Games is such a rare gift.
I’ve climbed a lot of mountains to get here. The challenges and failures have made me stronger, more resilient, and more grateful for the opportunity in front of me. I have a deeper awareness now of how precious this journey is and how quickly it all passes.
What excites me most about 2026 are the opportunities that come with preparing for a home Olympics. Training in Southern California means more time on the water and less time recovering from travel and jet lag. It means being surrounded by friends, family, and a support network that has been part of this journey for years. There is something special about representing your country while preparing within it.
I’m also looking forward to deepening relationships with fellow Team USA athletes. Some of these friendships have spanned multiple Olympic cycles, and I always love supporting and learning from other athletes. Beyond sailing, I’m excited to continue my executive coaching work, and create some cool projects I have in the cue with film, art and fashion.
I know how quickly each year can pass. Every opportunity to learn and grow feels like a privilege. Being a veteran athlete comes with a deep appreciation for how special this chapter truly is.
As a Sailors for the Sea Ambassador, what conservation initiatives are you most excited to support in 2026, and how can sailors be part of that impact?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through sailing is that small actions, repeated consistently, create extraordinary results. I believe protecting our oceans works the same way. Conservation begins with the everyday decisions each of us makes.
As sailors, we have countless opportunities to make a positive impact. We can start by simply slowing down and enjoying the views we have wherever we travel. We protect what we love! My little focuses include: carrying a reusable water bottle and cutlery, picking up trash even when it isn’t ours, choosing reef-safe sunscreen, properly disposing of old lines and sails, encouraging regattas to prioritize sustainability, shopping my friend’s closets, and simply taking a moment to ask where the products we wear, eat, and consume come from. Every choice adds up.
The ocean has given me a career, unforgettable adventures, and a place where I feel most at home. Through Sailors for the Sea, I hope to inspire more people to recognize that protecting it isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being intentional.
As Lara continues her Road to LA28, we’re proud to have her representing not only Team USA, but also the values of stewardship, sustainability, and care for our shared waters. We can’t wait to follow her journey in the years ahead.
