The sailors of Manly Sailing Club posted some strong results at the annual NZ Windfoiling National Championships, and the Moth Nationals, held last month in the Bay of Islands.
The relatively new sport of windfoiling is growing in popularity, but most participants are still male and Aimee Bright was the only girl in the Youth Girls’ fleet. Naturally she took out first place, while Manly Sailing Club coach Josh Bull of Red Beach placed 7th in the men’s fleet.
Aimee’s mother is Olympic board sailor Barbara Kendall. She says her own experience was similar – when she started windsurfing, there were no other young women her age taking it on.
“Aimee is fine being the only girl and is encouraging others into the sport,” Barbara says. “She is loving the challenge of flying around. This board is now the Olympic class for Paris 2024, so there is a very exciting future ahead for these two sailors.”
Moths are also a foiling craft and in the Moth Nationals, held the same weekend, Mattias Coutts of Tindalls Bay, aged 15, was in fine company.
He placed third behind Australian America’s Cup sailor Nathan Outteridge and Prada skipper Francesco Bruni.
