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George Gautrey secures fifth place in the ILCA 7 at the 2026 Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma de Mallorca. The 28-year-old Aucklander shines by winning one of two medal races in the finals series, finishing just six points from the podium. Australia’s Matt Wearn dominates to take gold, with Britain’s Elliot Hanson and Micky Beckett rounding out the top three.
Gautrey builds on a strong qualifying series, notching six top-10 finishes and briefly leading the leaderboard. This marks a solid return to international racing after earning bronze at the 2023 Sailing World Championships and a silver at the 2025 European Championship.
In a challenging week on the Bay of Palma, the New Zealand team faces shifty offshore breezes and illness among several members. George Pilkington and Caleb Armit finish 72nd and 76th in the ILCA 7 fleet of nearly 200 boats. Greta Pilkington stands out with a race win, finishing 20th in the ILCA 6 fleet.
Stella Bilger misses the women’s iQFOiL medal series, ending 12th overall. Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart place 14th in the Nacra 17. The New Zealand team now prepares for French Olympic Week in Hyères later this month.
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