The qualifying series at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta wrapped up with the top 10 in each of the four fleets locking in their spots for Thursday's medal rounds.
New Zealand sailors feature prominently heading into the finals. Aimee Bright qualified second in the iQFOiL Women's fleet, placing her directly into the Semi-Finals. Stella Bilger and Veerle ten Have qualified fifth and sixth respectively, sending both into the Quarterfinals, while Eli Liefting came through in ninth in the iQFOiL Men's fleet to also advance.
Under the elimination format, the top two qualifiers advance directly to the Finals, third and fourth go straight to the Semi-Finals, and fifth through tenth must fight through the Quarterfinals to stay in contention.
Conditions were lighter than earlier in the week, an 8-12 knot breeze with gusts to 15 knots over flat water off Belmont Pier. The breeze put a premium on tactics and board handling, producing some of the tightest racing of the regatta with frequent lead changes throughout the afternoon.
Australia's Grae Morris topped the iQFOiL Men's qualifying standings ahead of China's Kun Bi, with Denmark's Johan Søe and American Noah Lyons rounding out the top four. Emma Wilson of Great Britain leads the iQFOiL Women ahead of Bright.
Singapore's Maximilian Maeder topped the Formula Kite Men's qualifying, with Italy's Riccardo Pianosi second and Slovenia's Toni Vodišek third. The Netherlands' Jessie Kampman heads the Formula Kite Women's standings, followed by Switzerland's Elena Lengwiler and France's Lauriane Nolot.
The regatta is the final event of the 2026 Sailing Grand Slam season for both the Formula Kite and iQFOiL classes, with Thursday's medal races crowning the series champions. The venue carries added significance as the future Olympic waters for LA28.
