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Sailors from Manly Sailing Club recently achieved international success across a range of elite competitions, cementing the club’s reputation as a training ground for world-class athletes.
In September, Sean Herbert secured an impressive third place at the World Wingfoil Championships held in Cagliari, Sardinia. Battling shifting winds, the 23-year-old Kiwi came through a tightly fought final to hold his own against top international competition.
Earlier in the month, it was the women’s turn at the Under 23 World iQFOiL Windsurfing Championships, held in Portimão, Portugal where Stella Bilger and Aimee Bright claimed first and second places, respectively.
The younger generation is also making waves. At the Open Skiff Worlds in July, Valentina Gladiadis finished second in the Under 17 Girls, while Summer Torbet took home first in the Under 13 Girls. Both have set the stage for promising sailing careers.
Continuing the winning streak, Ewan Brazle and Toby Clark emerged victorious in the Under 17 category at the European 29er Championships, while Ben Rist won the New Zealand Youth Trials, earning the honour of representing Aotearoa at the World Youth Championships later this year.
Adding to the club’s growing list of accolades, Mathias Coutts, last year’s Moth World Champion, set the standard that Jake Pye continues to follow. Pye, who finished second at the 2024 Moth Worlds and third this year, has been named to Emirates Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup sailing squad, marking a major milestone in his career.
“These achievements, all from a small community club low on facilities and finance but high on passion and commitment, are something we’re incredibly proud of,” Manly Sailing Club Commodore, Barry Thom says.
“Working alongside the Russell Coutts Sailing Foundation over the last nine years has been the backbone of our coaching programme. The support of dedicated members and an active calendar of local and international events have given our sailors every chance to grow and succeed. We’re proud to be leading the country for overseas sailing success.”
Yachting New Zealand recently confirmed that Olympic champion Jo Aleh will lead four new sailors, including Pye, into the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples in 2027. Aleh is set to make history as one of the first women to race on the AC75, while Pye, at just 20 years old, is the youngest member of the Cup squad.
“It was pretty epic to get the call-up,” said Pye in an interview with Yachting New Zealand. “The team has such a great atmosphere, and everyone’s pushing toward one goal: to defend the Cup. I’m ready to give it everything.”
With so many of its members now competing and succeeding at the highest levels of the sport, Manly Sailing Club’s achievements highlight the depth of talent growing on the Hibiscus Coast. The club continues to produce exceptional sailors from a supportive, community-driven base, proving that world-class results can come from humble beginnings.
“We might be small in size but our results speak for themselves. Manly Sailing Club truly punches above its weight, and it’s just the beginning,” Thom says.
By Jayden Murdie
