Veerle ten Have has fought her way back into the top 10 at the 2026 iQFOiL World Championship, turning a black-flag disqualification into her best day of the regatta in Weymouth and Portland.
The Tauranga sailor climbed to seventh overall after a dramatic day of sprint slalom racing that started badly and finished a great deal better. That opening black flag threatened to derail her regatta, but she answered with finishes of fifth, ninth and third across the remaining three races to move well up the standings.
It leaves her firmly in the mix as the championship heads into its business end. The top 10 advance to the medal series, an elimination format working through quarter-finals and semi-finals before the medal showdown itself.
Aimee Bright also found some form after a difficult second day, moving up to 18th overall. The Manly Sailing Club sailor sits 34 points outside the top 10 in the open fleet, but she's an impressive sixth in the under-23 standings.
In the men's fleet, Josh Armit kept climbing on the first day of gold-fleet racing. Two top-five finishes, seventh and fifth, lifted him to 16th overall, leaving him 31 points off the top-10 cut-off with further racing to come in the final series.
It wasn't as smooth for teammate Eli Liefting, also competing in the gold fleet. A disqualification and a DNC left him 43rd overall after a difficult day.
Blake Hinsley continues in the silver fleet, currently sitting 87th overall.
Conditions shifted again on day three, with a lighter and more unpredictable breeze producing four demanding slalom races. The fleet raced in winds ranging from seven to 12 knots, with shifting pressure and direction placing a premium on acceleration, positioning and clean manoeuvres.
