2026 ILCA European Championships Day 5: New Zealand’s George Gautrey in final-day title fight after weather halts racing again
George Gautrey will take a share of the overall lead into the final day of the weather-hit 2026 ILCA European Championships after no racing was possible overnight in Kaštela, Croatia.
The fifth day of the regatta was abandoned after unstable and deteriorating conditions again disrupted competition, leaving the championship set for a dramatic final-day showdown after a week heavily impacted by delays, thunderstorms and shifting winds.
Sailors spent more than three hours ashore under postponement while organisers monitored the conditions before all fleets were eventually sent out to race inside Kaštela Bay in an attempt to take advantage of more sheltered conditions closer to shore.
However, the breeze quickly became too unstable for fair racing, with large wind shifts and patchy pressure across the course area. A storm system building behind the surrounding mountains added further safety concerns, prompting race officials to abandon racing entirely and send the fleets back to shore.
It means standings remain unchanged heading into the final day, with Kiwi Gautrey still locked on 23 points with Cyprus Olympic medallist Pavlos Kontides at the top of the ILCA 7 standings. Germany’s Philipp Buhl remains four points adrift in third.
George Gautrey has led for most of the regatta and will go into the final day's racing at the top of the ILCA 7 leaderboard. Photos / EurILCA
The New Zealander has been one of the standout performers whenever racing has been possible in Croatia, winning three of the opening four qualifying races before navigating a difficult first day of gold fleet racing to retain the lead.
No racing was possible on the opening day due to unstable winds, while qualifying was also interrupted by thunderstorms and lightning on Day 3.
Despite the interruptions, Gautrey has consistently stayed at the front of the fleet in one of the strongest ILCA 7 fields of the season.
Compatriot Caleb Armit remains 35th overall and fifth in the under-23 standings heading into the decider, while Greta Pilkington (pictured top left) sits 33rd in the women’s ILCA 6 fleet after climbing 25 places during the opening day of gold fleet racing.
Organisers are planning to run three races on the final day, with the first warning signal scheduled for 12pm local time (10pm NZ time). Any sailor carrying a discard could still see major swings in the standings if all three races are completed, setting up a high-pressure finish to the championship.
Latest results and standings here.
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