Top Kiwi iQFoil sailor switches to Australia for 2028 Olympic bid
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 12 Sep 03:18 UTC
Stella Bilger (AUS/NZL) - 2026 Musto iQFOiL World Championships at the WPNSA - Day 4 © Sailing Energy / iQFOiL International Class
Top Kiwi boardsailor, Stella Bilger has taken up the opportunity to represent Australia at the Womens World iQFoil Championships, in Weymouth.
If all goes to plan, she should have a good shot at representing Australia at the upcoming 2028 Olympics at Long Beach. She has obtained Australian citizenship by virtue of her mother being Australian-born. The deal to switch countries for the 2028 Olympics has been signed off by the Australian and New Zealand national bodies.
Bilger will continue to train with Veerle ten Have and Aimee Bright, in the Kiwi Womens squad and their coach Paul Snow-Hansen, a triple Olympic representative in the 470 class.
Currently, Stella Bilger lies 4th in the overall standings at the Weymouth Worlds, having been as high as second overall in the event. Two other Australians are competing in the Womens event currently lying 57th and 68th in a 70 strong fleet.
If she is successful in her Olympic endeavour, Bilger will be the third generation to compete in the Olympics. Her grandfather Jock competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics in the Flying Dutchman class. Her father Jon, founder of PredictWind, competed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona in the 470 placing 4th.
From Yachting NZ:
No racing was possible in the Women's iQFoil World Championship on Friday, and the sailors will progress to the quarterfinals.
For the Kiwis Veerle ten Have will carry the weight of New Zealand’s medal hopes at the 2026 IQFOiL Class World Championships in Weymouth on Saturday.
The Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club sailor has qualified fifth overall after no racing was possible for the women overnight, advancing to the quarterfinal of the knockout series.
Teammate Aimee Bright rounded out the event in 19th, while in the men’s fleet Josh Armit was 14th overall after showing steady progression through the week.
Eli Liefting wraps up his campaign in 38th, with Blake Hinsley 95th.
Follow the medal series live from 11pm NZT youtube.com/@iqfoilclass
Latest results and standings: Click here