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The country’s top ILCA sailing talent - and rising stars in the class - have shone on the world stage in recent weeks, producing a string of podium finishes and breakthrough performances across Europe and the United States.
The headline result came in Sweden a fortnight ago, where George Gautrey returned to the international podium with silver at the ILCA 7 European championships in Marstrand. A thrilling final day included his third race win of the regatta, securing second overall in the open division and confirming him as the top non-European sailor. Gautrey finished just 11 points behind Britain’s Mickey Beckett, capping an impressive return to international ILCA sailing after he had taken an extended break from the class.
Since March, Gautrey has also claimed eighth at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma, fought back to 17th after a slow start at the French Olympic Week in Hyères, and finished fourth at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in the US - the sailing venue for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In the women’s ILCA 6, 2024 Olympian Greta Pilkington also impressed in Marstrand, closing her campaign with fifth in the silver fleet.
Click here for the full results from the 2025 ILCA European championships.
George Gautrey won silver at the European championships in Sweden. Photo / Eurilca Media
Meanwhile, George Pilkington has also been making his mark. At the UK ILCA 7 national championships in Pwllheli, Wales, the 19-year-old Aucklander claimed bronze overall and finished as top under-21, before carrying that form into the under-21 world championships in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. Against a 139-strong fleet in testing conditions on Dublin Bay, Pilkington delivered seven top-10 results - including a race win on the penultimate day - to secure fifth overall, missing the podium by just five points. Teammate Zach Stibbe also impressed, qualifying for gold fleet and placing 57th overall after finishing 11th at the UK nationals.
Click here for the full results from the ILCA under-21 world championships and here for the UK national championships.
George Pilkington finished third at the UK national championships and fifth at the under-21 world championships. Photo / Eurilca Media
Early last month, 16-year-old Chloe Turner became New Zealand’s latest youth world champion, winning the ILCA 6 under-17 female title at the youth world championships also in Los Angeles. Turner finished 13th overall in the 81-boat girls’ fleet, choosing to secure her age-group crown on the final day rather than chase a top-10 overall, finishing 14 points clear of her nearest rival.
Several other Kiwis gained valuable experience in LA, with Tom Pilkington finishing 37th and Arran Begic 52nd in the boys’ ILCA 6 fleet. In the silver fleet, Sam Clarke (17th), Beau Utting (28th), and Jack Hollands (29th) all showed their potential.
Click here for the full results from the ILCA 6 youth world championships.
