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The Murrays Bay Sailing Club will be overrun during Easter as they host the single-biggest class nationals in the country.
More than 200 children born in the year 2004 or later will contest the Toyota Optimist national championships, with as many as 30 competing under international banners from the likes of Great Britain, France, Poland, the United States and Poland.
For many, it will be one of their first big regattas and 62 of the 205 entries will sail in the green fleet. For others, there are considerable incentives, and not just the prospect of doing well at a national championships.
Up to 48 youngsters from New Zealand will be selected for a variety of travelling teams off the back of the national championships. These include teams to the world championships (Antigua), European championships (France), North American championships (Bahamas) and Asian championships (Oman) as well as development teams for a number of 11 and 12-year-olds to compete at the Noumea nationals.
There will also be two sailors who go on an exchange to Japan and six to another in China.
"There are a whole raft of kids who are going to get an opportunity to travel overseas in a New Zealand team," New Zealand International Optimist Dinghy Association president David Kayrouz said. "They are fantastic incentives for the kids."
The forecast is for predominantly light winds, which will be a factor at the front of the open fleet. Defending champion George Lee Rush (Wakatere Boating Club) is back again, as is Amelia Angus (Kohimarama Yacht Club) who was first female in 2018, but others like Harrison Loretz (Wakatere), Lucas Day (Murrays Bay Sailing Club), Hugo McMullen (KYC), Rowan and Sean Kensignton (KYC), Lucy Leith (MBSC) and Naiomi Ferrissey (MBSC) are expected to be in the mix.
George Lee Rush is back to defend his title.
"It looks like it's going to be a light-weather regatta, and there are a number of kids who could surprise this year," Kayrouz said. "The ones who are established are probably going to be challenged this year."
The event was officially opened last night at the Murrays Bay Sailing Club and teams racing will commence today before five days of competition for both the open and green fleets starts on Saturday.
Murrays Bay have embraced a sustainable event, with a policy of no plastic, reusable coffee cups, no wash-down until the final day and, in a first for New Zealand, the use of biodegradable hull stickers.
Another feature of the event is the 20th year of sponsorship by Toyota.
"It's pretty amazing," Kayrouz said. "I respect their long support over 20 years and feel that, like us an organisation, they value sport and this particular class as the entry class for children."
For more information of to follow the event, see here.
