Thomas Saunders

Born in Tauranga, New Zealand in 1992, Thomas Saunders began his sailing journey at a young age despite not coming from a sailing background. He progressed through the youth ranks, demonstrating significant talent in the sport. His early career saw him establish himself as a promising competitor. Over the years, he successfully transitioned into senior competitive sailing, consistently performing at a high level on the international stage.

Saunders achieved a significant milestone in 2021 by winning the ILCA 7 World Championships, becoming only the second New Zealander to accomplish this feat in the class. This achievement solidified his position among the top sailors globally. He maintained strong performances, securing a fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Championships in Mexico. His consistent results led to him being named the Orbit World Travel Sailor of the Year at the Aon Yachting Excellence Awards in November 2022. Following a challenging 2023 season, Saunders secured his spot for the Paris Olympics by finishing fifth at the 2024 World Championships in Adelaide.

After his Olympic debut, where he finished seventh, Saunders continued to compete at a high level. In April 2025, he secured a silver medal at the French Olympic Week in Hyères in the ILCA 7 class, marking a successful return to international competition following a break. This result showcased his continued dedication and skill in handling diverse sailing conditions. He is slated to compete in the 2025 World Championships in Qingdao, China, as part of his campaign towards the Los Angeles 2028 Games, balancing his athletic pursuits with studying and coaching.