Will Leech – sailing away for New Zealand
17 Jul 2025
After a superb sailing feat in Germany and navigating a challenging course in Italy, Year 12 College sailor Will Leech is now setting his sights on a new horizon in Portugal.
Will and crew Will Mason recently won silver at the 29er Euro Cup at Kiel Week in Germany, displaying their flying form to place 2nd overall in the 75-boat fleet. Despite the unpredictable conditions, Will finished in the top 10 in all 10 races – one of only two boats to do so – and the pair were the top U19 crew at the competition
Lining up again against the best international sailors, Will next sailed into the gold fleet at the 2025 29er European Championships on Lake Garda in Italy. Despite finishing 14th overall on a challenging final day, Will had spent most of the week inside the top 10.
He next hopes to represent New Zealand at the Youth World Championships in Portugal in December.
“I took a lot away from my time in Europe, learning how to compete in such a large fleet with everyone manoeuvring for the best spots and being pushed around by other crews all chasing the top result,” he says.
“I have come back even more determined to do well in the upcoming trials for Portugal, and again do my best for New Zealand.”
Will aims to hold his competitive course, hoping to one day claim a spot on an America’s Cup crew.
