New Zealand’s wing foil contingent is making its presence felt at the 2026 Formula Wing World Championships in Istanbul, with all three representatives earning places in the Gold Fleet as racing intensifies on the Bosphorus.
Kosta Gladiadis has been the standout performer for the Kiwi squad, climbing to ninth overall after a blistering day that included three top-three finishes across five qualifying races. His consistency at the sharp end of the fleet has positioned him within striking distance of a guaranteed berth in Saturday’s Medal Series, with the top nine after the next two days of racing securing automatic qualification.
Teammate Sean Herbert is close behind in 11th place after another impressive showing, while Jeremiah McDonald holds 15th — all three comfortably inside the top-20 cutoff that determined Gold Fleet qualification.
Gold Fleet Battle Heats Up
With the men’s fleet now split into Gold and Silver divisions, the stakes have risen dramatically. The Gold Fleet comprises the top 20 sailors from qualifying, and only the top nine after two more days of racing will advance to the Medal Series — the winner-take-all showdown that will decide world championship titles on Saturday.
For Gladiadis, currently sitting right on the bubble in ninth, every race from here carries enormous weight. A single poor result could see him slip below the cutline, while continued podium-level sailing could consolidate his position and set up a genuine tilt at a world championship medal.
Herbert and McDonald, sitting 11th and 15th respectively, face a steeper but far from impossible task. In the volatile conditions that wing foil racing often produces — where shifts, gusts, and tactical decisions on foil handling can shuffle the fleet in moments — significant movement through the standings remains very much on the table.
New Zealand’s Rising Profile in Wing Foil
The strong collective performance underscores New Zealand’s growing depth in competitive wing foiling. The discipline has exploded in popularity since its emergence as one of the fastest-growing water sports in the early 2020s, and Kiwi sailors have increasingly featured at the highest levels of international competition.
Formula Wing, governed by the International Wing Sports Association (IWSA), has established itself as the premier racing format for competitive wing foiling. Riders use a handheld inflatable wing to harness wind power while standing on a hydrofoil board, producing breathtaking speeds and agile, tactical racing. The format demands a rare combination of physical fitness, technical foil handling, and sharp tactical awareness — attributes that align well with New Zealand’s long tradition of producing elite-level sailors across multiple disciplines.
Istanbul provides a spectacular but challenging venue for the championship. The waters around the Turkish capital are known for their variable wind patterns and complex currents where the Bosphorus meets the Sea of Marmara, adding an extra layer of difficulty to an already demanding regatta.
The Road to Medal Series
With two days of Gold Fleet racing remaining before Saturday’s Medal Series, the New Zealand trio will be looking to carry their qualifying momentum forward. Gladiadis, in particular, will fancy his chances of locking down a top-nine position after his three podium finishes demonstrated he has the speed to match anyone in the fleet.
For Herbert and McDonald, the objective is clear: post strong individual race results that can vault them up the standings and into medal contention. In a fleet of this caliber, where the world’s best wing foilers have gathered to contest the sport’s most prestigious title, simply being in Gold Fleet is an achievement — but the Kiwis clearly have their sights set higher.
The Formula Wing World Championships continue through the week, with the Medal Series set to deliver a dramatic conclusion on Saturday.
