PredictWind Wingfoil Nationals - Sean Herbert leads after Day 2
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com 8 Mar 2025 01:41 PST
Gold fleet start - PredictWind Wingfoil National Championships. Wakatere Boating Club. Day 2 - Saturday 8 March © Suellen Hurling
The top three places at the top of the leadeboard remained unchanged after the second day of racing at the Predictwind Wingfoil Nationals, being sailed at Wakatere Boating Club. Three races were sailed after the weather refused to co-operate.
Intially the breeze refused to settle above 6-8kts until 1.30pm, the too-idyllic conditions gave way a couple of hours later when a rain squall gusting over 30ts gave the 97 rider, in three divisions an unexpected tickle-up.
Three races were sailed in the truncated program, with racing for the Social fleet of 36 riders being the first to be called off at 3.15pm after two races were completed.
Three races were sailed in the Open Gold fleet - the Gold and Silver fleets were self-seeded - with Sean Herbert winning two races and placing fifth in Race 8, giving him a seven point lead over Jeremiah McDonald (Bucklands Beach YC). Third overall is Kosta Gladiadis (Manly SC) who is also the top Youth sailor. Three riders are locked 5pts back on 31pts, with all to play for on the final day.
Stella Bilger is the top female sailorin the Open Gold fleet. She is 23rd of the 25 riders.
Youth sailor Michael Scholes (Manly SC) leads the Silver fleet after scoring two second places and a 5th from the three races sailed. He holds a handy 6pt lead over Olly Maidment (Tauranga YPBC), with Hugo Appleby (Worser Bay) third - another 10pts in arrears.
The Social fleet, who sail on the weekend racing only is led by British sailor Oli Aldridge (Poole Radio Yacht Club) who won the first race and placed second in the next. The next three sailors are covered by 2pts.
Website: wakatere.org.nz/2025-nz-wingfoil-national-champs
Results: www.sailwave.com/results/WakatereBoatingClub/2025NZWindfoilNationalChamps.htm
Additional Images: