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New Zealand's Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush underlined their growing reputation on the world sailing stage by winning the inaugural Palm Beach Motor Yachts trans-Tasman 49er series at Hamilton Island Race Week.
The three-day event, billed as the "Wetisloe Cup", brought together 13 of the best Kiwi and Australian 49er and 49erFX teams for high-octane exhibition racing off Hamilton Island - a likely venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic regatta.
Menzies and Lee Rush's victory capped a strong winter for the pair, who claimed gold at the European championships in Greece in June - New Zealand's first major 49er success since Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie’s silver medal at last year's Paris Olympics.
Yachting New Zealand high-performance director Ian Stewart said the week was part of a renewed partnership with the Australian Sailing Team as attention turns to the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
"This was about more than just racing," Stewart said. "Both countries are reasonably isolated from the rest of the world, so it makes sense to work together as much as possible.
"We're hugely grateful to Hamilton Island and the Oatley family for their generous support. The Whitsundays is an iconic venue and Hamilton Island provides a world-class location to be training and sailing - a stunning setting complete with humpback whales featuring on the race course!"
The programme included an intense week-long training block followed by three days of quality racing. "It was invaluable preparation and we're thrilled Palm Beach Motor Yachts have already committed to next year's event," Stewart said. "It's also about looking beyond Los Angeles 2028, with Brisbane 2032 effectively being a ‘home’ Games for us."
The inaugural Palm Beach Motor Yachts 49er trans-Tasman exhibition series is part of a renewed paretnership between the NZL Sailing Team and Australian Sailing. Photos / Salty Dingo Media
Australia's Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot delighted home fans by winning the women's 49erFX series, while McHardie and McKenzie were among the contenders in the men's racing. Other Kiwi crews included Sam Bacon and Blake McGlashan, Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren, Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn, and 49erFX pair Nicola and Rebecca Hume.
For Menzies and Lee Rush, the Whitsundays triumph continues an impressive trajectory. Since teaming up in 2021, they've collected youth world titles in the 29er and 49erFX before transitioning into the Olympic 49er. After a breakthrough win at Oceanbridge Sail Aucklandin February this year, they finished ninth at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma, 13th at French Olympic Week in Hyères, and then dominated the Europeans with a regatta to spare.
Lee Rush credits their rise to New Zealand’s growing 49er squad depth. "There are consistently five high-level boats pushing each other, all working towards the same goal. Not many countries have that, and it makes a huge difference," he said last month.
Stewart believes initiatives like the Hamilton Island series will only sharpen that edge. "This sort of collaboration is a win-win," he said. "It creates better opportunities for both countries' sailors and builds real momentum as we target Brisbane 2032."
