ILCA NZ Nationals: Beckett and Reineke crowned champions - Final Day - Day 4
by Nick Page 18 Jan 20:53 PST
14-18 January 2026
Ryan Lo (SNG) leads Ewan McFadden (IRL) and Micky Beckett (GBR) - Day 3 - NZ ILCA Nationals - Bay of Islands - January 17, 2026 © Insight Media
With a gale warning in place and 45 knot gusts on the course area by 9am there was no question of any racing being possible on the final day on the 2026 NZ ILCA Nationals.
With the early cancellation overnight results were finalised, the prize giving was completed and competitors were on the road before lunch, all happy with eight excellent races having been completed to deliver a top quality contest.
In the world class ILCA 7 fleet World # 1 Micky Beckett (UK) added his name to the prestigious National Championship trophy, with its list of past champions reading like a who's who of New Zealand sailing including Russell Coutts, Dean Barker and more recently current SailGP stars Andy Maloney and Sam Meech. World #5 Duko Bos (NED) was runner up, just a single point behind Micky, with current world #3 Finn Lynch (IRL) just one further point behind in 3rd.
Top kiwi was George Gautrey in 4th, with the top five completed by Singapore's Ryan Lo. Zach Stibbe took the U21 category from Sam Clark, with Liam Dimock 3rd. In the ILCA 7 masters former world Laser champion, Grand Master Nik Burfoot prevailed ahead of Aussie visitor Sean Atherton-Feeny (GM) with ex ILCA masters world champ Scott Leith 3rd overall and the leading Master. Leading Apprentice Master was Tim Pitcaithly from Nelson while Pupuke's Nick Page was the leading Great Grand Master.
American star Erika Reineke was crowned ILCA 6 open champion, with New Zealand 2024 Olympic rep Greta Pilkington 2nd. Third overall was Australian visitor Frances Beebe. Ex ILCA 6 mens world champ George Lane was 4th overall, just ahead of leading youth Aaron Begic, who showed great form to prevail over 2nd and 3rd youths Toby Dunn and Tom Pilkington. Current U17 World ILCA girls champion Chloe Turner was victorious in the youth girls division from visitors Olivia Aitken (AUS) and Maja Jacob (GER). Chloe was also awarded the new Garth Briden trophy in recognition of her outstanding contribution to NZ ILCA sailing over the last year.
After a great contest in the ILCA 4 it was Nathan Soper who was crowned champion from Ava Wu and third placed Sofia Turner, with Oceania solidarity sailors Ellie Tapper and Kiera Dimock 4th and 5th overall.
In the ILCA 6 Masters defending champion Phil Wild (M) produced an emphatic display with seven wins in eight races to take the title from a consistent Dave Johnson (M) second overall. Leading Grand Master Werner Hennig was 3rd overall. Whakatane's Graeme Tee won the Great Grand Master's and Phillip Bennett the Apprentice Master division.
While it was unfortunate that no racing was possible on the final day there was no question that all 100 sailors enjoyed an absolutely top quality contest. Marvelous conditions for the first three days of the contest, excellent race management led by RO Andrew Kearney and fantastic hosting from the team at Bay of Island Yacht Club delivered a fist class contest.
Everyone in the fleet is carried a tracker for all races, thanks to assistance from YNZ. The tracking for all races is available to view at www.tractrac.com/event-page/event_20260113_NZILCACham/3427.
The contest results are available at Day 4 Provisional Results ILCA Nationals 2026 updated www.racingrulesofsailing.org/documents/13566/event