Racing started yesterday (Thursday 3 July) in classic Garda conditions. Despite light wind forecasts, the lake delivered steady thermal breeze and clear skies. All six fleets completed three races as scheduled.
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Tight racing on Day 1
Switzerland’s Ikke Huber and Liam Berger dominated the Green fleet with three straight wins. They lead the 2025 29er European Championship Riva del Garda leaderboard on 2 points, thanks to a discard. Germany’s Lucas and Moritz Hamm, who won two of their three Blue fleet races, sit in second place. German siblings Tizian and Julian Lembeck (Red fleet), France’s Jocelyn Le Goff and Jules Vidor (Yellow fleet), and Norway’s Nicklas Holt with Philip Forslund (White fleet) also share 2 points overall.
New Zealand’s best-placed team after Day 1 is Will Leech and William Mason. Sailing in the Blue fleet, they posted results of 5, 4, and 2. They currently hold 10th place overall, just four points off the lead. Nelsen Meacham and Joe Leith (Purple fleet) are close behind in 16th place. They sailed to a 5th, 21st, and 2nd and now sit on 7 points after discarding their worst result.
Other Kiwi teams showed flashes of speed. Ewan Brazle and Toby Clark started strong with a second-place finish in the Red fleet. However, inconsistency dropped them to 38th overall. In the women’s racing, Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley lead the New Zealand entries. Their results place them 138th in the combined standings, but with five more race days to go, there’s time to climb.
Riva Del Garda delivers world-class conditions
Fraglia Vela Riva has once again shown why it’s one of Europe’s most iconic sailing venues. Located on Lake Garda’s northern tip, the club offers unmatched freshwater racing. The lake’s famous Ora wind blows in from the south each afternoon, creating ideal skiff conditions.
These winds allow teams to stretch out and push their boats to the limit. In a fleet of one-design 29ers, where boats are identical and rigged for speed, small mistakes have big consequences. A good start, smart lane choice, and fewer manoeuvres can mean the difference between a win and mid-fleet finish.
The 29er skiff is built for high-performance youth sailing. With its single trapeze, asymmetric spinnaker, and light hull, it delivers both challenge and exhilaration. Crews must work in perfect sync to handle shifts, pressure changes, and mark roundings in fast-paced fleets.
Kiwi teams focused for the long week ahead
After three races, crews can now discard their worst score. This early adjustment has already shifted the leaderboard. More changes are expected as qualifying races continue across Friday and Saturday. From Sunday, fleets will split into Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions for the final round.
Consistency will be critical. The top New Zealand teams are within reach of the leaders, but pressure will mount as the week progresses. Every race offers the chance to move up or fall behind. Staying focused and avoiding errors will be key.
Off the water, sailors are also taking part in the Kidzink Floating Eco-Hub Workshop, a sustainability initiative running from 3–5 July. Participants team up with sailors from other countries to design floating eco hubs using recycled materials. It’s a chance to connect, create, and think about the future of sailing beyond results and rankings.
What comes next?
The 2025 29er European Championship Riva del Garda continues until Tuesday 8 July. With six days of racing, the competition is far from over. New Zealand’s young sailors are showing promise—and with more racing, more discards, and more time on the water, they are still very much in the fight.
This world-class regatta is more than just a racing event. It’s a test of skill, resilience, and international sportsmanship in one of the most breathtaking sailing arenas on the planet.
Stay tuned as Boating New Zealand tracks our sailors through the week.
