Five top-10 finishes kept New Zealand's iQFOiL sailors firmly in contention on day two of the 2026 World Championships in Weymouth, as the fleet battled significantly stronger breeze than the opening day had offered.
Both fleets faced four demanding course races as the qualification series continued, a stark contrast to Monday's lighter conditions.
Veerle ten Have remains the standout among the Kiwi contingent. A seventh-place finish in the second women's race kept her just outside the overall top 10, sitting 11th overall and only two points behind the Netherlands' Sara Wennekes. Her training partner Aimee Bright is 22nd.
Josh Armit made one of the biggest gains of the day, climbing 11 places from 43rd to 32nd overall. He opened with a fourth in the first race, his best result of the championship so far, and held his position through the remaining three.
Eli Liefting also made significant progress, posting a ninth and a fifth to climb to 41st overall.
Blake Hinsley added another top-10 result with an eighth in the second race, and now sits 66th overall.
The stronger breeze across Weymouth and Portland tested the fleet's speed, control and tactical decision-making across the four races.
Competitors will now split into Gold and Silver fleets as the championship moves towards its conclusion, with New Zealand's sailors carrying real momentum into the business end of the regatta.
