Will McKenzie and Isaac McHardie have upheld New Zealand’s sailing tradition by clinching a silver medal in the men’s 49er skiff at the Paris Olympics.
The achievement brings New Zealand’s overall medal count to six.
As first-time Olympians the two faced big pressure to match the legacy of their predecessors, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who had previously secured gold in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020.
The duo entered the final medal race in Marseille ranked third, contending with postponements due to wind conditions. Despite a strong early challenge from Spain and a tough battle with the Netherlands, the Kiwis ultimately secured the second spot with 82 points, following Spain’s 70-point gold win and ahead of the United States’ 88-point bronze finish.
In the women’s 49er skiff competition, New Zealand’s Jo Aleh and Molly Meech finished seventh. The Netherlands, Sweden, and France claimed the top three spots, respectively, in the women’s event.
