Isaac McHardie

EVENT: Sailing - Men's Skiff 49er

Isaac McHardie had considerable success in the Optimist, P Class, Starling, 29er, and foiling Moth before turning his attention to helming the 49er with Will McKenzie. Paris 2024 marked McHardie’s first Olympic Games, where the pair clinched the men's skiff (49er) silver medal in the waters off Marseille. 

The duo had a strong 2023, winning bronze at the Princess Sofia Regatta and the European Championships, along with top-six finishes at the Olympic Test Event, French Olympic Week Regatta, and the Sailing World Championships.

In the final double-points medal race, the New Zealanders sailed conservatively. They started in third place with 76 points and couldn’t catch Spain, who led with 66 points and barely put a foot wrong. However, finishing third was enough to secure the silver medal.

Throughout the regatta, McHardie and McKenzie recorded placings of 1, 3, 8, 8, 1, 1, 11, 18, 17, 1, 10, 15, and 3.

 The pair have established themselves as one of the top 49er crews in New Zealand and the world.