2026 ILCA 7 World Championship, Day 4: New Zealand's Tom Saunders charges into medal-series contention in Ireland

Tom Saunders made his move on Day 4 of the ILCA 7 World Championship in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, climbing 11 spots to sit just outside the top 10 – and still in the hunt for a place in the medal series.

Saunders produced his best result of the elimination series so far, finishing fourth in the opening gold-fleet race before following it with a 15th in the second.

The former ILCA 7 world champion is now tied on points with Croatia's Tonci Stipanovic (in 10th).

Two more gold-fleet races remain tonight (NZ time), with Saunders' hopes of breaking into the top 10 and securing a place in the medal series very much alive.

The top 10 sailors at the conclusion of the elimination series will progress to the medal series, where two final races will decide the world champion.

It was a mixed day for the other Kiwis in the gold fleet, with George Gautrey now 33rd overall and Caleb Armit moving up five places into 38th overall. His best result of the day came in the final race, where he produced an impressive eighth.

George Gautrey is 33rd overall. Photos / Down Under Sail

George Pilkington remains 78th overall after recording 37th and 26th in the silver fleet, while Zach Stibbe moved into the top 10 of the bronze fleet and is 103rd overall.

At the front of the fleet, Singapore's Ryan Lo retained the overall lead despite a 24th in the opening race, bouncing back with a third to extend his advantage to 13 points over Great Britain's Michael Beckett.

Caleb Armit moved up five places to break into the top 40. Photos / Down Under Sail

Hungary's Jonatán Vadnai remains third, just one point behind Beckett, while reigning two-time Olympic champion Matt Wearn of Australia moved into the top 10.

Greek sailor Athanasios Kyfidis produced the performance of the day, winning both gold-fleet races to climb from 47th to 30th overall.

Latest results and standings here.