2026 Princess Sofia Regatta, Day 5: Strong finish to elimination series sends George Gautrey into ILCA 7 medal showdown

Sat 4 Apr 2026

George Gautrey will fly the Kiwi flag in the medal finale at the 2026 Princess Sofia Regatta after finishing strongly in gold fleet racing to secure his place in the revamped finals series.

The ILCA 7 sailor, a bronze medallist at the 2023 combined world championships, produced a composed qualifying campaign, highlighted by a second placing in the penultimate race. He heads into the new-look medal series in fifth overall, carrying 42 points into a format where the top 10 advance with reset scores before two medal races decide the podium.

Gautrey has been among the most consistent sailors all week, finishing third in qualifying and posting six top-10 results to stay firmly in contention heading into the decider.

George Gautrey has qualified for the new-look medal series. Photos / Sailing Energy

Behind him, it’s been a solid opening international regatta for the wider Kiwi squad. Improved conditions on the final day of fleet racing offered a glimpse of what’s to come, with the revised format tightening the leaderboard and setting up an open finish.

In the iQFOiL, Stella Bilger led the women’s effort in 12th, narrowly missing the medal series after staying within range throughout. Veerle ten Have (36th) and Aimee Bright (37th) raced in the silver fleet, while Eli Liefting was the top Kiwi in the men’s fleet in 32nd, with Blake Hinsley 101st.

Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart showed encouraging progress in the Nacra 17, finishing 14th in their first major regatta as a pairing in conditions where consistency proved difficult.

Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart wrapped up their first major regatta in the Nacra 17 in 14th place. Photos / Sailing Energy

The 49er crews wrapped up their regatta before the final day, with Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn best placed in 21st, and Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren 24th — both in the gold fleet. Sam Bacon and Blake McGlashan closed strongly in the silver fleet with two top-10 race results to finish 37th overall.

In the ILCA 6, Greta Pilkington placed 20th in a large, competitive fleet. Toby Wigglesworth (30th), Lochy Naismith (38th) and Lukas Walton-Keim (47th) rounded out the Kiwi men’s kitefoil results, while Lucy Bilger finished 23rd in the women’s kitefoil.