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George Gautrey secures a bronze medal at the 2026 ILCA European Championships in Kaštela, Croatia, marking New Zealand's second Olympic-class sailing medal in just a week. This performance highlights Gautrey's impressive skill, as he finishes as the top non-European sailor, only three points away from the title.
Gautrey competes in the ILCA 7 class, navigating through challenging weather conditions that saw winds fluctuate from a mere four knots to gusts over 22 knots. Despite leading the championship for most of the event, Gautrey's final day was marred by a costly 16th place in the first race, which ultimately impacted his chances for gold. He concluded the regatta with a total of 42 points, trailing Germany’s Philipp Buhl by two points and Cyprus’s Pavlos Kontides by three.
Reflecting on his performance, Gautrey expressed disappointment at missing the win but acknowledged the progress he has made, thanks to his coach, Mark Howard. He remains focused on enhancing his competitive edge, having already shown strong form with a fifth-place finish at the Princess Sofia Regatta last month. Gautrey aims to continue striving for victories against top competitors like Mickey Beckett and Matt Wearn.
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