Today’s NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Team announcement marks the culmination of months of selection trials, training, and competition, with the country’s best youth sailors set to take on the world in December.
The line-up reflects both proven results and rising talent across nine classes in the 2025 PredictWind NZ Youth Championships. Boys’ 29er duo Will Leech (Charteris Bay) and Will Mason (Worser Bay) confirmed their form with eight race wins at the PredictWind NZ Youth Championships. In the girls’ 29er, Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley (both Wakatere) secured their place after finishing top female crew and 8th overall in a highly competitive fleet.
Youth, grit, and glory at the 2025 PredictWind NZ Youth Championships
The 420 class proved a showcase of depth and development. Cam Brown (Wakatere) and Oli Stone (Kohimarama) delivered a consistent seven-win series to take the overall boys’ title, while long-time training partners Tessa Clinton (Wakatere) and Amelia Higson (Murrays Bay) finished 2nd overall and top girls, underlining the strength of the partnership. The depth of competition in the 420s, with 14 entries and 26 sailors braving strong winds and waves, showed the class is in excellent health.
In the ILCA 6s, Tom Pilkington (Murrays Bay / RNZYS) took four wins to secure the boys’ place, while Chloe Turner (Charteris Bay) finished top female with a gritty 6th overall.
The foiling classes saw domination from Manly and Wakatere sailors. Ben Rist (Manly) claimed 13 wins in the boys’ iQFOiL, with Daniella Wooldridge (Wakatere) sweeping 15 in the girls’ division. In kitefoil, Toby Wigglesworth will carry New Zealand colours.
With just eight weeks until the Youth Worlds, the sailors will now train intensively with their class coaches and the Yachting New Zealand performance team. The focus will be on sharpening skills, building resilience, and fine-tuning for the unique conditions expected off the Algarve coast.
The Youth Sailing World Championships have long been a proving ground for future stars, and with this year’s squad showing such depth, New Zealand has every reason to be optimistic about December.
