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New Zealand's Sean Herbert has announced his arrival on the international stage with a bronze medal at his Wingfoil Racing World Cup debut.
The 23-year-old, competing in the series for the first time in Silvaplana, Switzerland, impressed throughout the regatta, consistently challenging the sport's elite across four days of racing on the picturesque lake.
Despite tricky conditions on the final day, Herbert's performances earned him a place in the medal race overnight, where he secured third behind France’s Mathis Ghio and Poland's Kamil Manowiecki.
His campaign began with a breakout performance on the opening day, where he won the first two long-distance races in a fleet of more than 50 riders. Fresh from a training block in the United States and representing Manly Sailing Club, the current New Zealand national champion opened with a commanding 46-second win over Ghio, before edging the French rider again in a photo finish in race two.
Sean Herbert finished third overall at his first Wingfoil Racing World Cup. Photos / Robert Hajduk
Silvaplana’s reputation for challenging conditions held true, with light, unpredictable winds on the final day disrupting the schedule. The normally reliable Maloja wind failed to materialise in time, forcing the cancellation of the men's Golden Ticket race. As a result, Italy’s Gregorio Pugliese, who finished 10th in qualifying, was awarded the last place in the medal series.
Herbert, who won a total of six qualifying and gold-fleet races throughout the week, finished second in the semifinal to advance to the medal race, where he placed just behind Ghio but third overall.
Countryman Jeremiah McDonald was 12th overall.
Raised in Auckland, Herbert began sailing at age nine and is a former O’pen BIC world champion. He is also a three-time Starling national champion and has claimed Waszp titles at SailGP Inspire events and New Zealand nationals.
The Wingfoil Racing World Cup now moves on to Istanbul for round 3 on August 13.
Click here for the final results and standings.
