The 2025 U.S. Wingfoil Championship, held at San Francisco’s St. Francis Yacht Club from 19 to 22 June, delivered classic Bay conditions — steady breeze, lumpy water, and stiff competition across every fleet. For New Zealand, three Kiwi sailors competed across different divisions, showcasing the breadth of the country’s talent and tenacity.
Leading the charge was Sean Herbert, who arrived in San Francisco riding high after a third-place finish at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Silvaplana. With momentum clearly on his side, Herbert wasted no time establishing himself in the Open Division — an undivided fleet stacked with the sport’s best, regardless of age or gender.
Herbert’s near-perfect run
Over three days of buoy and long-distance course racing, Herbert stamped his authority early. Out of 15 races, he took first in 13. His two discards? A first and a second (in Race 15 when he could have taken it easy but didn’t). Finishing with a total of just 16, his final net score was a remarkably low 13 points. That placed him miles ahead of second-placed JP Lattanzi, who clocked 41 net points and 51 total, and third-placed Johnny Heineken, who finished with 43 net and 57 total after their respective drops.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a dismantling of a world-class fleet. Racing in heavy breeze, Herbert selected either a 4.5m or 5m wing depending on the conditions, and consistently nailed starts, lines, and laylines with a control and confidence that belied his age. With this performance, he firmly established himself not just as a rising prospect, but a serious threat on the global stage.
Cris Brodie held his own in Grand Masters
In the Grand Masters (50+) division, veteran sailor Cris Brodie represented Point Chevalier Sailing Club in Auckland. While not in podium contention, Brodie’s campaign demonstrated commitment and consistency across the challenging format. He finished tenth out of 11 in the division, which saw strong performances from U.S. sailors Jason Morton, Geoff Headington, and David Dupont — the only three Grand Masters awarded Gold.
Brodie, competing on his AXIS gear, was one of the few non-American sailors in the fleet and maintained composure through testing conditions that saw many competitors post DNFs and penalties. His participation speaks to the growing international representation in a division typically dominated by North American names.
Chippini-Brodie competes in two divisions
Also representing New Zealand was Cristiana Chiappini-Brodie, sailing under the Point Chevalier Sailing Club banner. She contested both the Women’s division and the Masters (35+) category. In the Women’s field, she placed fifth of five — the smallest of the competitive divisions — and received Silver status under the event’s scoring format. In the Masters (35+) division, where nine sailors competed, she finished seventh, again earning a Silver award.
Though not a podium contender, Cristiana’s dual-division entry exemplified the perseverance and adaptability required to compete in back-to-back races across different fleets. The Masters division was notably deep, and included top-level competitors like Johnny Heineken and John Subranni.
San Francisco delivered classic conditions
The regatta opened with freestyle events on 19 June, before switching focus to buoy racing and long-distance formats on the 20th through 22nd. San Francisco’s notorious breeze lived up to its reputation, keeping sailors on small-to-mid sized wings for most of the event. It was a venue where gear choice, stamina, and tactical discipline mattered.
The race committee kept the pressure on with tight turnarounds between starts, and the varying current across the course made clean lines and timing critical. The technical and physical challenge suited Herbert perfectly, and he appeared unfazed as he piled on win after win.
Herbert’s win in the Open Division wasn’t just dominant — it was defining. To put a 28-point gap between first and second at a major international event speaks to a different gear entirely. Combined with his third at the World Cup just days earlier, it’s a strong signal that New Zealand has an elite-level wingfoil racer on its hands — one who is rapidly closing the gap on the world’s very best.
While the results for Brodie and Chiappini-Brodie were more modest, their presence at this championship matters. As wingfoiling evolves, having consistent New Zealand representation across divisions — from Open to Grand Masters to Women’s — builds visibility and momentum for the sport back home.
Three Kiwis showed up and did not disappoint
Three Kiwis showed up in San Francisco. One of them won nearly everything. All of them put New Zealand on the map in one of the world’s fastest-growing board sports. And as the international wingfoil circuit continues to expand, the black-and-white sails of Aotearoa will likely become an increasingly familiar sight at the front of the fleet.
