George Gautrey has strengthened his early grip on the weather-hit 2026 ILCA European Championships, securing a third consecutive race win to lead the overall standings in Kaštela, Croatia.
With racing repeatedly interrupted by unstable Adriatic conditions across the first three days, Gautrey has emerged as the standout performer in the ILCA 7 fleet, sitting top of both the overall and non-European standings heading into the final series. His record has been ruthless when racing has been possible: three bullets from four qualifying races, with only a discarded sixth in the opening race separating him from a perfect scoreline.
No racing was possible on Day 1 due to highly unstable winds ranging from 3 to 17 knots, while Day 2 eventually delivered three solid races in 9 to 13-knot breezes. Day 3 saw just a single race completed overnight (NZ time) before lightning forced sailors ashore, bringing qualifying to an early conclusion.
After racing got underway in steady 11-knot breezes that built into 16 knots, Gautrey again struck early, taking victory in the opening race before finding himself at the sharp end of the fleet in the next outing before the thunderstorm.
“It’s been a good start to the event for me with two days of sailing, but now the real racing starts with gold fleet racing tomorrow and hopefully six more races and three more days,” the 2023 combined world championship bronze medallist said.
George Gautrey has won three of the first four races in Croatia. Photos / EurILCA
Gautrey won silver at last year’s ILCA 7 European Championships in Marstrand after a tightly fought regatta in which he also claimed a race win on the final day and finished as the leading non-European sailor.
Despite the interruptions, his consistency in Kaštela has put him in a commanding position as the fleet now splits into gold, silver and bronze groups for the final series, where live tracking will be introduced for the leading sailors.
Behind him, fellow New Zealand ILCA 7 sailor Caleb Armit has also impressed in a deep 173-boat fleet. Armit sits 27th overall after qualifying and has secured his place in the gold fleet, the top 58 sailors advancing to the championship’s decisive stage. His series included two sixth-place finishes and strong results in a tightly packed fleet.
Calib Armit is also through to the gold fleet in the ILCA 7. Photos / EurILCA
In the women’s ILCA 6 fleet, 2024 Olympian Greta Pilkington has battled through a tight and unforgiving qualification series to sit 58th in the 120-boat fleet. A ninth-place finish remains her standout result across five races, and she has also made the cut into the gold fleet, with the top 60 women advancing.
Latest results and standings here.
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
