Kiwis win Gold and Silver at iQFoil U-23 Womens Worlds in Portugual
by Yachting NZ 14 Sep 20:21 AEST
2025 iQFOiL U23 World Championships - Stella Bilger (NZL) © Sailing Energy / iQFOiL International Class
Rising New Zealand windfoiling star Stella Bilger has claimed the biggest title of her career, winning the iQFOiL under-23 world championships in Portimão, Portugal on Saturday.
The 20-year-old stunned the fleet with a tactical masterstroke in the second of two medal races, splitting from her rivals and holding her nerve in the final stages to secure gold - leading a remarkable Kiwi one-two with teammate Aimee Bright winning the Silver medal.
The four-rider final featured Bilger, Bright, and Norwegian duo Mina Mobekk - who went on to win bronze - and Maya Gysler. Bright advanced directly after qualifying second overall, while Bilger, who qualified fourth, first had to navigate her semifinal to reach the finale.
In the opening medal race, she finished second to Bright, leaving her needing victory in the decider to claim the world title. In a contest that saw the lead change several times at speeds of around 25 knots, Bilger's calculated risk proved decisive - and worked so well it even surprised her.
"I knew I couldn't overtake if I just followed from behind on such a short course, so I took the risk and decided to split from the other girls," Bilger explained. "I saw some pressure, lifted around the bottom mark, and suddenly I noticed the drone was flying in front of me. I was confused, because the drone's usually near the leader - and then I realised I was the leader! That was surreal and really unexpected, but very cool."
Bilger, who won the SailGP Inspire title in San Francisco in 2023 sailing a Waszp, described the victory as "the highlight of my sailing career so far, 1000 per cent".
"The medal series was nerve-wracking going into it, but I just tried to stay calm and take it one race at a time - one start, one leg, one mark rounding," she said. "It seemed to play out. I had some luck with the [wind] shifts, but the plan worked."
The final reach felt like it would never end, Bilger admitted, yet she kept her focus simple: "I was just thinking, don't crash, don't fall - foil a bit lower, sheet the sail, keep pressure in the harness, and just send it."
Bright was first to congratulate her training partner and close friend after the race.
"It was so cool to be racing against someone you know so well and who's such a good friend. We just pushed each other the whole way," Bilger said. "I think it's amazing - getting first and second - but I don’t think it's sunk in yet."
Bilger, who secured her spot in the knockout series courtesy of a strong final qualifying day, credited her steady climb up the leaderboard to family support and the New Zealand squad environment.
The young Aucklander is part of a windfoiling programme with plenty of depth, led by Paris Olympians Josh Armit and Veerle ten Have.
"Things seemed to get better every day of the regatta. I had so many calls with Mum, Dad and my sister, just talking through different mindsets and ways of approaching races. A lot of credit goes to Snowy [coach Paul Snow-Hansen], Amy, and Veerle back home - the whole squad is just amazing," she said.
Sailing pedigree runs deep in the Bilger family - grandfather Jock represented New Zealand in the Flying Dutchman class at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, while dad Jon sailed the 470 at the 1992 Games and was later heavily involved in the America's Cup.
Bilger said she is looking forward to celebrating with them once she gets back home.
"We'll all go out to dinner - my grandparents, parents and my sister, probably at an Italian restaurant," she said. "After that, my focus will be on doing well at the European championships in Italy in November."
Final results and standings from the 2025 iQFOiL under-23 world championships 2025iqworldsu23.portimao.sailti.com/en/default/races/race-resultsall
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