In a sport where seconds separate the elite from the rest, Sean Herbert is creating daylight. At just 23, the former O’pen BIC world champion and three-time Starling Nationals winner has vaulted into the international wingfoiling spotlight, thanks to a pair of high-impact performances that have put the global fleet on notice—and elevated New Zealand’s profile in this fast-evolving discipline.
Herbert’s recent string of results began with a bronze medal at the 2024 Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Silvaplana, Switzerland. His debut on the world circuit, this was no quiet entry. Racing on glacial alpine waters against 54 of the world’s best, Herbert claimed two opening-day wins—including a photo-finish over reigning European champion Mathis Ghio—and never dropped out of the top five. As reported by Boating New Zealand, Herbert “shocked the fleet” by taking the early lead and holding firm across demanding conditions that tested both tactical skill and endurance.
That podium finish alone would have marked a breakthrough. But Herbert wasn’t done. Less than a week later, he headed to the United States and obliterated the Open Division at the 2025 U.S. Wingfoil Championships in San Francisco. As detailed in a follow-up Boating New Zealand article, Herbert won 13 of 15 races in heavy breeze and lumpy water off the St. Francis Yacht Club. His two discards? A first and a second. His final net score: 13. Second place trailed by 28 points.
In other words: dominant.
A foiling foundation built in New Zealand
Herbert’s journey began in a borrowed O’pen BIC on Auckland’s Whangaparāoa Peninsula. Initially reluctant, he followed his brother into the sport and was soon locked in sibling rivalry that would fast-track his development. “The brotherly rivalry ultimately fast-tracked my sailing and made me competitive in racing fast.”
From those early races out of Manly Sailing Club—an institution that has also shaped the likes of Sir Russell Coutts and Sam Meech—Herbert built a reputation as a thinking sailor with a tactical edge. He transitioned seamlessly into foiling classes like the Waszp and Moth, winning SailGP Inspire events and securing back-to-back New Zealand national wingfoil titles before heading offshore.
In parallel, his career as a composite laminator with Rocket Lab gives him technical insight few athletes possess. “Understanding how the foil behaves, reading the load, knowing what the gear’s doing—it definitely gives me a bit more control.” That scientific mindset, married to natural feel and raw speed, allows Herbert to make micro-adjustments in real time—vital in a class where minor gear variations and split-second decisions determine race outcomes.
The American One chapter
Herbert’s recent success owes plenty to his involvement with America One Racing, a top-tier U.S.-based wingfoil programme led by coach Leandro Spina. Herbert described the structure and value of the training environment: “We structured our training around what we expected in Switzerland—and it paid off.” Two training camps in Hawaii preceded his international debut, fine-tuning both equipment and race strategies.
One key training partner in that environment has been JP Lattanzi, another breakout performer in Silvaplana. Herbert noted that both riders “came through similar pathways and are now pushing the front of the fleet,” reflecting a generational shift in wingfoil racing—one driven by athleticism, technical acumen, and a willingness to learn fast.
A national flag on the international stage
Beyond the personal milestones, Herbert’s rise carries broader significance for New Zealand. As Boating New Zealand put it, his results are “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.” The local wingfoil scene remains small compared to Europe and North America, but Herbert’s podium finishes are beginning to reframe expectations about what’s possible for Kiwi sailors in the sport.
His dominance in San Francisco also had a halo effect, bringing attention to the efforts of fellow New Zealanders Cristiana Chiappini-Brodie and Cris Brodie, both of whom also competed in the challenging San Francisco conditions. While their results were modest, their presence helped round out a Kiwi showing that underscored New Zealand’s growing footprint in the international wingfoiling arena.
What comes next
Herbert is back in New Zealand briefly, focused on training and further gear development ahead of the next Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Istanbul this August. “Standing on the podium in Silvaplana was rewarding… but I want to win a World Cup and build towards the championship,” he told Yachting New Zealand.
Closing thoughts
Sean Herbert’s emergence as a global wingfoil contender wasn’t unexpected to those who’ve watched him evolve through the ranks of New Zealand sailing. What’s remarkable is the speed and scale of his success. In a sport that rewards technical precision, tactical sharpness, and fearless racing, Herbert has already shown he belongs at the front of the fleet. And with every podium he steps onto, he’s bringing New Zealand along for the ride.
Attribution Notice
Elements of this article, including direct quotes and biographical context, are sourced from “Sean Herbert continues meteoric rise in wingfoiling” by Michael Brown, Yachting New Zealand, published June 2025. Further reporting comes from Boating New Zealand articles by Chris Woodhams, published between 12 and 22 June 2025.
