Issue date
Entries are open for the latest instalment of New Zealand's premier youth and Olympic classes regatta - the 2024 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland.
Formerly known as the Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta, the event has been rebranded to attract more international competitors alongside our top talent, according to Yachting New Zealand youth and events manager Sam Mackay.
And while it has a new name, the quality of competition will be as high as ever - with many of the NZL Sailing Team members vying for a spot at the Paris Olympic Games in July expected to be in action.
"The event remains a highlight on the country's sailing calendar and we're expecting it to be even bigger and better than last year with most of our Olympic campaigners using it as valuable practice as it's a similar format to the big overseas regatta," Mackay said.
This year's event will again be hosted by Torbay Sailing Club on February 10 and 11 with over 120 competitors across as many as 11 classes expected.
This includes New Zealand's leading skiff, dinghy and board sailors like Jo Aleh and Molly Meech (49erFX), Logan Dunning Beck and Oscar Gunn, and Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie (49er); Tom Saunders and George Gautrey (ILCA 7); Josh Armit, Eli Liefting, Thomas Crook, Veerle ten Have (windfoil); and Lukas Walton-Keim and Justina Kitchen (kitefoil).
Josh Armit is expected to be in action in the men's windfoil. Photo / Adam Mustill
New world championship bronze medallists Joe Leith and Josh Ferrissey are also likely to headline the 420 fleet.
"One of the really special things about the regatta is to have the youth sailors racing alongside Olympians as it creates a really cool connection between those top sailors and up-and-comers."
As always, volunteers are needed to run a successful event and Mackay is keen to hear from anyone willing to help - whether it's for one day or the entire regatta.
"We're looking for people on and off the water - from registration to mark laying, start and finish boat helpers, safety boat operators and timekeepers," he said.
"We're particularly interested in hearing from you if you have a vessel that could be suitable to use as a start or finish boat."
All volunteers will have lunch provided and will also be given a regatta T-shirt.
"This is a really good opportunity to be part of a top regatta in this country," Mackay said. "We couldn't run these sorts of events without the help of volunteers, and it can be a really rewarding experience. It's going to be a busy period, with lots of traffic on the water, so any help would be greatly appreciated."
Volunteer registration can be found here and all the information for competitors, including the notice of race and entry form, can be found here.
Entries close Friday, February 2 at 5pm.
