Reina Bilger delivered one of the most striking performances of her young career at the 2025 iQFOiL under-23 world championships, claiming gold with a daring tactical call in the second medal race that left even her momentarily bewildered by her own success. Teammate Aimee Bright finished silver to complete a New Zealand one-two.
The four-rider final brought together Bilger, Bright, Norwegian Mina Mobekk, and Maya Gysler. Bright had qualified second overall and advanced directly to the finale, while Bilger, having qualified fourth, first had to fight through her semifinal to earn her place. When the medal racing got under way, Bright crossed the line first in the opening race, leaving Bilger needing a win in the second race to take the title.
What followed, at racing speeds of around 25 knots with the lead changing hands multiple times, was a calculated gamble that paid off entirely. Rather than shadow her rivals around the short course, Bilger broke away from the pack and found pressure that sent her surging to the front.
"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."
Mobekk went on to claim bronze. For Bilger, a 20-year-old Aucklander who won the SailGP Inspire title in San Francisco in 2023 sailing a Waszp, the result sits in a category of its own. She called it "the highlight of my sailing career so far, 1000 per cent."
Her approach throughout the medal series was one of deliberate calm. "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."
Even in the closing moments of the decisive race, when the finish felt agonisingly far away, Bilger kept her internal cues straightforward. "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," she said.
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's path to the knockout series had been built on a strong final day of qualifying, and she credited a steady improvement across the regatta to the support surrounding her. The wider New Zealand windfoiling programme she trains within includes Paris Olympians Josh Armit and Veerle ten Have among its leading figures.
"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 runs deep in the Bilger family history. Grandfather Jock represented New Zealand in the Flying Dutchman class at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, while father Jon competed in the 470 at the 1992 Games and went on to become heavily involved in the America's Cup. Celebrating with those generations of family is something Bilger is already looking forward to.
"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
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