FP: Red Bull Foiling Generation New Zealand 2016: Micah Wilkinson & Olivia Mackay Champs

by Editor · Published March 8, 2016 · Updated May 24, 2019

All Photos Graeme Murray/ Red Bull – Video & Report Source by Red Bull . Official web redbull.com/nz/ – A mixed team won the NZ RB Flying Phantom series, that is a strong statement in the land of the best sailors in the World. With next Youth Americas coming in 2017 onboard the foiling AC45s we might see one of these youths onboard, as we saw Burling in past Youth AC. The New Zealander is now dominating the 49er Olympic Class , Moths and also the AC45s AC series. He needs to won this year A-Cat Worlds at Medemblik to take the Triple Crown and become an instant Legend. New Zealand is constant source of World Class sailors, as Brazil or Arg delivers top football players.
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“The City of Sails witnessed a new kind of sailing regatta at Red Bull Foiling Generation Auckland on Sunday, as Olivia Mackay and Micah Wilkinson emerged from three days of knock-out heats on foiling catamarans to be named New Zealand’s national champions. Set against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge, the 16-team youth sailing event kicked off a 2016 season that will span eight countries, culminating with a historic World Final in the USA this October. Watch the action unfold in the clip above.

The racing in the final today was of a high grade, with the lead exchanged twice between first and second place (Trent Rippley and Issac McHardie). In the final leg, it was a straight high speed foil run towards the finish, where the winning boat dramatically capsized right on the finish line as Olivia Mackay and Micah Wilkinson took the victory.

“We were really tight coming into the last mark.“ Says Micah. “Luckily we got around in-front of them, and then we were reaching and just flying into the finish line, totally out of control, but we managed to get across before we rolled the boat.“

“This week was a dream. It’s incredible to get experience with a boat that actually lifts off the water, especially when your coaches are Roman and Hans Peter!” said Micah. “We’ll train hard for the World Final. We can’t wait to fly again!”

Hagara stated, “New Zealand is a sailing powerhouse – we had applications from so many talented teams, and the spectators really appreciate what these kids are accomplishing. I’d love to see some of these sailors graduate to the Youth America’s Cup, which resumes next year with New Zealand as reigning champion.”

The foils fly again at the next Red Bull Foiling Generation regatta in Istanbul, Turkey on 13-15 May 2016.

Red Bull Foiling Generation Race Calendar 2016
4–6 March Auckland / New Zealand
13–15 May Istanbul / Turkey
27–29 May Kiel / Germany
1–3 July Geneva / Switzerland
15–17 July Lelystad / Netherlands
5–7 August Cadiz / Spain
19–21 August Knokke / Belgium
13–15 October Newport / USA
20-22 October WORLD FINAL Newport / USA

Official Results
Heat 1

1. Trent Rippley and Issac McHardie
2. Matthew Kempkers and Tim Adair
3. George Anyon and Logan Anderson
4. Celia Willson and Charlotte Porter
Heat 2
1. Nick Egnot-Johnson and Jack Rogers
2. Chelsea Rees and Taylor Balogh
3. Oscar Gunn and George Gautrey
4. James Wilson and Henry Hassett
Heat 3
1. William McKenzie and Tamryn Lindsay
2. Jackson Keon and Tom Fyfe
3. Sean Patterson and Jordon Stevenson
4. Hamish McGill and Peron Pearse
Heat 4
1. Micah Wilkinson and Olivia Mackay
2. Patrick Haybittle and Stephanie Kirkman
3. Josh Armit and Joshua Jun Handa
4. Josh Wijohn and Matthew Hughes
Heat 5
1. Trent Rippley and Issac McHardie
2. Matthew Kempkers and Tim Adair
3. Nick Egnot-Johnson and Jack Rogers
4. Chelsea Rees and Taylor Bologh
Heat 6
1. Micah Wilkinson and Olivia Mackay
2. William McKenzie and Tamryn Lindsay
3. Patrick Haybittle and Stephanie Kirkman
4. Jackson Keon and Tom Fyfe
Heat 7
1. Oscar Gunn and George Gautrey
2. George Anyon and Logan Anderson
3. James Wilson and Henry Hassett
4. Celia Willson and Charlotte Porter
Heat 8
1. Hamish McGill and Peron Pearse
2. Sean Patterson and Jordon Stevenson
3. Josh Wijohn and Matthew Hughes
4. Josh Armit and Joshua Jun Handa
Heat 9
1. Oscar Gunn and George Gautrey
2. Nick Egnot-Johnson and Jack Rogers
3. George Anyon and Logan Anderson
4. Chelsea Rees and Taylor Bologh
Heat 10
1. Hamish McGill and Peron Pearse
2. Jackson Keon and Tom Fyfe
3. Patrick Haybittle and Stephanie Kirkman
4. Sean Patterson and Jordon Stevenson
Heat 11
1. Oscar Gunn and George Gautrey
2. Nick Egnot-Johnson and Jack Rogers
3. Jackson Keon and Tom Fyfe
4. Hamish McGill and Peron Pearse – RET
Heat 12
1. William McKenzie and Tamryn Lindsay
2. Micah Wilkinson and Olivia Mackay
3. Trent Rippley and Issac McHardie
4. Matthew Kempkers and Tim Adair
Heat 13
1. Nick Egnot-Johnson and Jack Rogers
2. Trent Rippley and Issac McHardie
3. Matthew Kempkers and Tim Adair
4. Oscar Gunn and George Gautrey
Heat 14
1. Micah Wilkinson and Olivia Mackay
2. Trent Rippley and Issac McHardie
3. Nick Egnot-Johnson and Jack Rogers
4. William McKenzie and Tamryn Lindsay