2026 iQFOiL World Championship: New Zealand's Veerle ten Have claims career-best fifth place in Weymouth

Veerle ten Have has secured the best finish of her windfoiling career at a world championship, placing fifth overall at the 2026 iQFOiL World Championships in Weymouth.

The Paris 2024 Olympian finished third in the women's semifinal of the medal series overnight (NZ time), ending her campaign one place short of the four-sailor grand final.

It capped an impressive week for the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club sailor, who had qualified for the knockout medal series in fifth place to advance directly to the semifinal.

Ten Have's previous best result from three world championship appearances was ninth, making her fifth-place finish in Weymouth a significant step forward as she continues to build towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Veerle ten Have finished fifth at the iQFOiL World Championships in Weymouth overnight. Photos / Sailing Energy

"Extremely fun week of racing in Weymouth at this year's iQFOiL World Championships," ten Have said.

"I'm super proud of this week and really happy with how I sailed. But I don't think elite sport ever lets you feel fully satisfied. You're proud for a moment... then you're already chasing the next step.

"Because at the end of the day, that's what we're here for. To win."

The result is also ten Have's best of the international season to date, following ninth at the Olympic Classes Regatta in Long Beach in July and 11th at French Olympic Week in April.

She also finished second at the North American Championships in July, after placing 36th at the Princess Sofia Regatta in March and 15th at the iQFOiL European Championships in May.

Ten Have said changes to her approach over recent months had begun to pay off.

"Over the past few months, I've made some massive changes in my processes, my support team and my training, and we are slowly seeing it all move in the right direction.

"My progress had been stagnant for a while, so it was time to step out of the comfort zone.

"Change is uncomfortable and scary because it puts you into places you've never been before. But I'm learning that it's all about perspective, and it's how you approach these changes that shapes the progression."

Ten Have was third in the semifinal of the medal series. Photos / Sailing Energy

In the women's semifinal, ten Have finished behind Stella Bilger, the Kiwi sailor now competing under the Australian flag, and Israel's Daniela Peleg, with both advancing to the grand final.

Israel's Tamar Steinberg went on to claim the women's world title, adding to the European championship she won earlier this year. Sharon Kantor, also of Israel, took silver, while Bilger secured bronze.

Ten Have's NZL Sailing Team teammate Aimee Bright earlier finished her campaign in 19th place.

In the men's fleet, Josh Armit was the leading New Zealander in 14th, while Eli Liefting finished 38th and Blake Hinsley 95th.

Final results and standings here.