Veerle ten Have has produced the best result of her windfoiling career, finishing fifth overall at the 2026 iQFOiL World Championships in Weymouth.
The Paris 2024 Olympian finished third in the women's semifinal of the medal series overnight New Zealand time, missing the four-sailor grand final by a single place.
It was still an impressive week for the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club sailor. She qualified for the knockout medal series in fifth place, earning direct entry to the semifinal, and held her form when it mattered.
Three previous world championships had never delivered better than ninth for ten Have, so her fifth in Weymouth marks a significant step forward as she builds towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
"Extremely fun week of racing in Weymouth at this year's iQFOiL World Championships," ten Have said.
"I'm super proud of this week and really happy with how I sailed. But I don't think elite sport ever lets you feel fully satisfied. You're proud for a moment... then you're already chasing the next step.
"Because at the end of the day, that's what we're here for. To win."
The result is also her best of the international season to date. She was ninth at the Olympic Classes Regatta in Long Beach in July and 11th at French Olympic Week in April.
She also finished second at the North American Championships in July, after a 36th at the Princess Sofia Regatta in March and 15th at the iQFOiL European Championships in May.
Ten Have said changes to her approach over recent months had begun to pay off.
"Over the past few months, I've made some massive changes in my processes, my support team and my training, and we are slowly seeing it all move in the right direction.
"My progress had been stagnant for a while, so it was time to step out of the comfort zone.
"Change is uncomfortable and scary because it puts you into places you've never been before. But I'm learning that it's all about perspective, and it's how you approach these changes that shapes the progression."
In the semifinal itself, ten Have finished behind Stella Bilger, the Kiwi sailor now competing under the Australian flag, and Israel's Daniela Peleg. Both went through to the grand final.
Israel's Tamar Steinberg claimed the women's world title, backing up the European championship she won earlier this year. Compatriot Sharon Kantor took silver, with Bilger rounding out the podium in bronze.
Ten Have's NZL Sailing Team teammate Aimee Bright finished her campaign in 19th place.
The men's fleet was led home by Josh Armit in 14th, ahead of Eli Liefting in 38th and Blake Hinsley in 95th.
For ten Have, fifth in Weymouth is not a finish line but a marker on the road to Los Angeles, proof that the hard, uncomfortable work of the past few months is starting to show on the water.
