Two New Zealand teams now sit inside the top 10 after a tactical second day of racing at the European 29er Championships. With lighter winds and tighter scoring, the regatta is heating up—and Kiwi sailors are firmly in the mix.
Day 1 saw fast, consistent Garda breeze and three clean races across all fleets. That gave the leaderboard a sharp starting edge, with several crews scoring perfect or near-perfect results. Swiss, German, French, and Norwegian teams led the pack. But New Zealand’s Will Leech with William Mason, and Nelsen Meacham with Joe Leith, stayed close.
Fast, fierce, and full of potential: Day 1 of the 29er European Championship 2025 in Riva del Garda
Day 2 brought a very different challenge.
Lighter winds at the European 29er Championships
Crews launched just after 11:00am, hoping for another strong Ora wind. But the famous Garda breeze arrived late—and light. Shifty puffs and tactical traps made racing far more complex than the previous day.
After five races at the European 29er Championships, France’s Jocelyn Le Goff and Jules Vidor lead the fleet with three race wins and just 3 points after discards. In second are Norway’s Nicklas Holt and Philip Forslund, also on 3 points, showing strong form across Purple and White fleet races. Third overall are Switzerland’s Ikke Huber and Liam Berger, who posted three straight wins on Day 1 but dropped after a DNC today. Their total also sits at 3 points, making it a tightly contested leaderboard. With discards in play, the championship remains wide open heading into the final qualifying races.
Most fleets completed two races. Some only managed one. To keep results fair, organisers put one race on hold until all fleets are equal. Once every team has the same number of races logged, the scores will be updated.
In light air, the emphasis shifted. Starts, positioning, and clear air mattered more than flat-out speed. Some early leaders held their ground. Others stumbled.
Kiwi sailors break into the top 10
It was a breakthrough day for New Zealand. Will Leech and William Mason delivered solid, consistent racing and climbed to 9th overall with 8 points. Just behind them, Nelsen Meacham and Joe Leith now sit in 10th overall with 9 points. Both teams are racing in the men’s division and showing strong tactical control in varied conditions.
Ewan Brazle and Toby Clark also had a standout moment—winning their first race of the day in style. However, they didn’t start their second race, posting a DNC. They now sit 19th overall, with clear potential to climb higher if they stay focused.
In the women’s fleet, Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley showed improvement, scoring an 8th place in their second race of the day. They now sit in 137th overall but are trending upward. Their goal will be to maintain consistency and confidence in the final qualifying races.
Off the water at the European 29er Championships
While the racing challenged sailors on the water, the Kidzink Eco-Hub Workshop continued to energise them ashore. Mixed-nationality teams competed in hands-on sustainability challenges, blending creativity and environmental thinking.
This youth-led initiative promotes international collaboration—mirroring the values of the European 29er Championships. The winning team, with sailors from Poland and the UK, took home sponsored regatta entries and new sails. A second prize went to teams from the Netherlands and Germany.
Later in the evening, tired but happy sailors gathered at the club for a classic Garda pasta party. Shared meals on the terrace capped the day with laughter and camaraderie—core ingredients in youth sailing success.
Looking ahead
The European 29er Championships continue with more qualifying races scheduled for Day 3. With better breeze expected, organisers aim to catch up on the race schedule.
For the New Zealand crews, Day 3 offers a chance to solidify their top-10 positions—or climb even higher. Final series racing begins soon, so now is the time to push.
Expect tighter racing, shifting rankings, and more standout performances as this world-class regatta moves into its critical stages. Boating New Zealand will keep you updated with every twist and turn from Lake Garda.
