Yachting: Kiwis collect gold and bronze at sailing champs

Isaac McHardie and Micah Wilkinson won the SL16 class and Markus. Photo / Yachting NZ.

This country's sailing future looks bright after New Zealand crews won gold and bronze at the youth sailing world championships in Cyprus this week.

All five Kiwi crews finished in the top six, helping New Zealand to third in the Nations Trophy behind Italy and Australia.

Isaac McHardie and Micah Wilkinson won the SL16 class and Markus Somerville and Jack Simpson secured bronze in the 29er skiff class.

New Zealand has now amassed 44 medals since the inaugural youth world championships in 1971, including 16 gold, 16 silver and 12 bronze medals, and it has proved a good forerunner to future success. Sir Russell Coutts, Chris Dickson, Dean Barker, Stu Bannatyne, Tom Ashley and Jo Aleh all medalled at the event.

New Zealand results at the youth sailing world championships in Cyprus:

SL16 Multihull: 1st _ Isaac McHardie (Hamilton Yacht Club/RAYC) and Micah Wilkinson (Ngaroto Sailing Club/RAYC)

29er: 3rd _ Markus Somerville and Jack Simpson (Wakatere Boating Club)

Boy's 420: 5th _ Sam Barnett and Zak Merton (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club)

Girl's 420: 6th _ Olivia Mackay and Abby Goodwin (Napier Sailing Club)

Laser Radial: 6th _ Andrew McKenzie (Kohimarama Yacht Club)