NZL Sailing Team: Stella Bilger just misses podium at Hyères
by Eduan Roos/Yachting New Zealand 24 Apr 16:34 PDT
Stella Bilger (NZL) - iQFoil - 57th French Olympic Week in Hyères - Day 5, April 24, 2026 © Sailing Energy / French Olympic Week Hyères - TPM
Stella Bilger came agonisingly close to another major medal on the world stage, finishing fourth in the women’s iQFOiL at 2026 French Olympic Week and leading a strong showing from New Zealand’s windfoilers in Hyères.
Bilger advanced to the medal series in eighth overall and made an immediate statement, winning her quarter-final to move into the semis, where she was joined by compatriot Aimee Bright, who secured direct passage to the last four through her qualifying result (fourth overall).
Repeating a familiar duel from the under-23 world championships in Portugal last year, Bilger and Bright again went head-to-head in the last four, with Bilger edging through in second to progress to the four-board, winner-takes-all final, while Bright exited in fifth overall.
Bilger, who eventually claimed the under-23 crown in September, was in contention throughout a dramatic final, crossing in third and ahead of eventual silver medallist Tamar Steinberg. She finished fourth overall, however, as Steinberg’s advantage from topping qualifying proved decisive under the iQFOiL finals format. Italy’s Olympic champion Marta Maggetti claimed gold, with China’s Zheng Yan taking bronze.
Bright’s eventual fifth-place finish added to an impressive Kiwi showing, with Veerle ten Have narrowly missing the medal series in 11th.
In the men’s iQFOiL, Josh Armit reached the quarter-finals after qualifying in seventh, but was eliminated after finishing third in his sudden-death race, with only the top two advancing. Armit wrapped up his opening international regatta of the season in eighth. Australia’s Grae Morris went on to win gold after a dramatic two-race final, with Italy’s Federico Alan Pilloni second and China’s Kun Bi third.
Eli Liefting finished 16th and Blake Hinsley 57th in the men’s fleet.
In the 49er, Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn kept New Zealand representation alive in another medal series, making it into the 10-boat final in 10th overall after scores of fifth and ninth, either side of a 16th, in the last three gold fleet races. Under the 49er medal race format, two final races will decide the standings, with points from those races added to the accumulated series scores.
Sam Bacon and Blake McGlashan were 19th overall after sitting in podium contention earlier in the regatta, while Nicola and Rebecca Hume closed strongly in the 49erFX, overcoming a difficult start to post three top-10 results in the latter stages, including a fourth place, to finish 20th overall.
Latest results and standings here. sof.regatta.ffvoile.fr/en/default/races/race-resultsall
Click here sof.regatta.ffvoile.fr/en/default/races/race-directcomplet for live tracking of all races.