Annika Wells crowned AIMS Games sailing champion as young sailors shine in Tauranga

Annika Wells has claimed overall honours at the 2026 Zespri AIMS Games sailing competition, topping a fleet of 70 young sailors in Tauranga.

The Saint Kentigern Girls’ School sailor finished ahead of Tauranga Waldorf School’s Marcus Daum and Kristin School’s Charlie Thirkettle to be crowned overall champion after four days of racing at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club.

Wells also took out the Year 8 Girls division, with Mei Whitehead of Napier Intermediate second and Phoebe Cunningham of Glendowie School third.

Daum was the top Year 7 Boys sailor, while Thirkettle won the Year 8 Boys title. Bucklands Beach Intermediate's Dallas Noyer claimed the Year 7 Girls division.

Seventy sailors competed at this year's AIMS Games. Photo / Zespri AIMS Games

The annual competition again formed part of the Zespri AIMS Games, New Zealand’s largest sporting event, which brings together thousands of intermediate and middle school students from across the country to compete in 28 sporting codes.

AIMS, which stands for the Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools, provides young athletes with the opportunity to represent their schools on one of the country's biggest sporting stages.

All 70 sailors contested this year's regatta in Optimists, racing in an open fleet format under the full Racing Rules of Sailing. Prizes were awarded for the overall champion, individual placings across the Year 7 and Year 8 boys' and girls' divisions, and the top-performing school team.

Bucklands Beach Intermediate claimed the school team title, with Leo Wills and Dallas Noyer combining to finish ahead of Napier Intermediate's Angus Jackson and Mei Whitehead. Kristin School, represented by Charlie and Astrid Thirkettle, rounded out the podium.

Annika Wells was the overall winner, with Marcus Daum second and Charlie Thirkettle third. Photo / Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club

2026 Zespri AIMS Games sailing results

Overall

1. Annika Wells – Saint Kentigern Girls’ School
2. Marcus Daum – Tauranga Waldorf School
3. Charlie Thirkettle – Kristin School

Year 7 Girls

1. Dallas Noyer – Bucklands Beach Intermediate
2. Corinne Woolsey – Awakeri School
3. Charlie Livernois Bui – St Joseph's Catholic School

Year 7 Boys

1. Marcus Daum – Tauranga Waldorf School
2. James Garnham – Belmont Intermediate
3. Angus Jackson – Napier Intermediate

Year 8 Girls

1. Annika Wells – Saint Kentigern Girls’ School
2. Mei Whitehead – Napier Intermediate
3. Phoebe Cunningham – Glendowie School

Year 8 Boys

1. Charlie Thirkettle – Kristin School
2. Leo Wills – Bucklands Beach Intermediate
3. Jack Robertson – Te Atatū Intermediate

School Team – Top Two Sailors

1. Bucklands Beach Intermediate – Leo Wills and Dallas Noyer
2. Napier Intermediate – Angus Jackson and Mei Whitehead
3. Kristin School – Charlie and Astrid Thirkettle
   
   Final results here.