Issue date
The Zhik New Zealand eSailing Challenge is back to find the best eSailor in the country.
Yachting New Zealand and Zhik launched the eSailing challenge last year during lockdown and the sport has grown significantly since then, and a number of clubs in New Zealand hold regular racing.
Members of affiliated yacht clubs can sign up to race in the Zhik New Zealand eSailing Challenge. The club champion will then go through to their regional championships, with the top three in each of the four regions battling it out in the national final.
The winner of the national final will receive a $500 voucher from Zhik, as well as another $500 voucher from Zhik for their club.
If that wasn't enough (no, there aren't any steak knives on offer), the top six finishers in the national final will then qualify to represent New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman eSailing Championships against some of Australia's best.
"We're delighted to be back supporting the Zhik New Zealand eSailing Challenge," Zhik sponsorship and partnership manager Steffi Bourke said. "In last year's inaugural championships, we saw 12-year-olds take on elite sailors and win."
Here’s how it will work:
Round 1: Club Championships
Clubs around New Zealand will be invited to host their own Virtual Regatta club championships, with one club champion proceeding to the next stage of the challenge. Clubs who are unable to run a club championships or do not have sufficient entries may still forward a club champion to Yachting New Zealand.
Club champions must be decided by Monday, July 12. One club member will need to purchase a VIP pass for one month to run club championship regattas. Only one VIP pass is required to run custom races for your club.
Round 2: Regional Championships
Each club champion will then represent their club at one of the four eSailing regional championships in mid-July. The top three finishers at each regional championship will proceed to the next stage.
Regional finals
- South Island - Tuesday, July 13, 2021
- Central North Island - Wednesday, July 14, 2021
- Auckland South - Thursday, July 15, 2021
- Auckland North - Friday, July 16, 2021
Round 3: National Challenge
The 12 regional representatives will compete in the New Zealand eSailing Challenge regatta in mid-August (TBC). The regatta will be live streamed, ensuring clubs and regions can cheer on their representatives live.
Notice of race and guidance:
