Foiling glory on Lake Garda
The foiling Moth class put on a spectacular show in Italy as Malcesine hosted the 2025 Moth World Championship from 6–13 July. With 137 of the world’s best sailors gathered under the sun-drenched cliffs of Lake Garda, it was a week of high-speed drama, shifty winds, and blistering downwind rides. For New Zealand, it was also a week to celebrate, with eight Kiwi sailors finishing in the top 40 and one standing proudly on the podium.
Jacob Pye (NZL 5249) delivered a stunning performance to claim third overall, taking home the bronze medal and Kiwi bragging rights. It was a composed and consistent regatta from the Auckland sailor, who held his nerve across five days of Gold Fleet racing. His podium result places him firmly among the elite names in international foiling, continuing New Zealand’s rich form in this class.
Coutts legacy continues
Another name that caught my attention was Mattias Coutts (NZL 1). The 19-year-old impressed with a mature and tactical performance, finishing 12th overall. He’s the son of Sir Russell Coutts, Olympic gold medallist, America’s Cup legend, and founder of SailGP. The younger Coutts is already forging his own path, with this result confirming his growing reputation in international sailing circles.
Coutts’ finish is all the more notable given the calibre of competition and the range of conditions across the week. Reports from the racecourse described winds swinging from light Garda zephyrs to full-on foiling conditions, demanding fast decisions and near-perfect boat handling.
Kiwi fleet makes its mark
New Zealand’s presence was felt strongly throughout the fleet. Eight Kiwis made the Gold Fleet cut, a mark of depth and strength in the class. Behind Pye and Coutts, standout finishes came from Jack Bennett (13th), Sam Street (25th), Henry Haslett (28th), Tim Howse (37th), Riley Dean (40), and Stuart Goodes (62). That’s a remarkable level of consistency in a fleet stacked with Olympians, professional foilers, and rising stars from across the globe.
Tom Slingsby brings SailGP star power
At the sharp end of the fleet, the top three read like a who’s who of high-performance sailing. Frenchman Enzo Balanger (FRA 5062) took the overall title, with an assured display in a range of conditions. Second place went to Tom Slingsby (AUS 5175)—the current helmsman and CEO of the Bonds Australia SailGP team and a former Olympic gold medallist.
Slingsby’s presence on the Moth start line speaks volumes about the crossover between the foiling monohulls and SailGP’s supercharged F50s. His silver medal is further proof of his versatility and commitment to staying sharp between SailGP events. “This class keeps you honest,” Slingsby said in a post-race interview. “One mistake and you’re out the back. That’s why I love it.”
No home advantage, just foiling form
The event was hosted by the Fraglia Vela Malcesine, one of Italy’s premier high-performance clubs and a regular stop on the international foiling calendar. While many top sailors, including Balanger, have trained on Lake Garda, there were no guarantees in such a tight fleet. With over 20 nations represented, the racing was tight and unforgiving—just making the top 40 meant beating dozens of seasoned pros.
Despite the pressure, the New Zealand squad kept it cool. Many had prepped together in Auckland, where the local foiling scene continues to grow thanks to access to coaching, SailGP inspiration, and a tight-knit community of up-and-comers. “There’s a real energy in the NZ fleet,” said Henry Haslett. “We’re pushing each other every week at home, and that’s showing on the results board now.”
Looking ahead: European leg, youth prospects
For New Zealand’s top finishers, this is just the beginning. Jacob Pye and Mattias Coutts both qualify for upcoming international regattas, and with SailGP returning to Europe for events in Portsmouth (UK), Sassnitz (Germany), Taranto (Italy), Saint-Tropez (France), Geneva (Switzerland), and Cádiz (Spain), it’s likely we’ll see more Kiwis in high-profile events this season.
The Moth World Championship may be over, but for the sailors, it’s another step in a journey that increasingly blends performance sailing, Olympic-level intensity, and professional campaigns. Whether they’re racing on small foilers or F50 catamarans, Kiwi sailors continue to punch above their weight.
