Olympic sailors continue to build momentum on world stage

New Zealand's top Olympic sailors continued their international campaigns, delivering strong performances across three major events in early December.

At the 2025 Sail Melbourne, Kiwi athletes impressed across multiple classes. Nicola and Rebecca Hume claimed bronze in the women's skiff, finishing no worse than third in eight of nine races. Josh Armit also reached the podium in the men's iQFOiL, taking third overall, while Eli Liefting, Blake Hinsley, Vlad Misescu, and Ben Rist all finished in the top 10. Josh Tuck placed 13th. Daniella Wooldridge finished top in the six-board youth fleet, while Paris 2024 Olympian Greta Pilkington posted five top-10 finishes to finish 11th in the ILCA 6, narrowly missing a finals spot.

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In Italy, Stella Bilger wrapped up the iQFOiL European championships in Sferracavallo 19th overall, maintaining her strong recent form. Bilger, who won the iQFOiL under-23 World Championships in Portimão, Portugal earlier this year, claimed gold after a decisive second medal race, executing a tactical split from her rivals to secure victory and lead a Kiwi one-two with teammate Aimee Bright taking silver. Fresh from being named NZL Sailing Foundation Young Female Sailor of the Year at the Barfvoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards, Bilger recorded two top-10 results across 11 course and slalom races, reinforcing her status as one of the country's brightest young sailing stars.

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Meanwhile, the ILCA 7 sailors competed at Round 1 of the 8th Portugal Grand Prix in Vilamoura. George Gautrey, who returned to the class this year after an extended break, has impressed since his comeback. He claimed silver at the European Championships in Marstrand, Sweden, and has posted strong results in Palma, Hyères, and Long Beach. In Portugal, Gautrey acknowledged a challenging week but finished on a high: "Not my finest week here in Portugal, but it was nice to finish with a race win. A few days off, then back to it in Cascais for the Cascais Invitational Cup." He ultimately finished seventh overall, while Caleb Armit delivered three top-10s in qualifying and ended the event 14th overall.

Click here for the full results.