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Young sailors now have more opportunities than ever to stay in the sport for life, but the challenge lies in finding the best way for them to reach their goals.
That's the message from Yachting New Zealand to the country's brightest young talent who are looking to take the next step in their sailing journey.
Late last month, dozens of participants logged in for the Junior to Youth Pathways webinar, presented by Yachting New Zealand's Jenny Armstrong, Sam Mackay, and Geoff Woolley.
The webinar covered various topics, including the different boat options available in the country, an introduction to Yachting New Zealand's high-performance programme, and key considerations for junior sailors transitioning into youth classes.
Jenny Armstrong, Yachting New Zealand's women's sailing manager and ILCA 6 programme lead, explained that the presentation aimed to guide young sailors through this important transition out of the junior classes.
"No two young sailors' pathways are the same, and with these sessions, we want to help sailors make the right choice for themselves by providing sufficient information and the necessary resources to make an informed decision," Armstrong said.
"This includes whether sailors see themselves in single or double-handed boats, how to find the right teammate, roles on the boat, and choosing a boat that suits their body, rather than the other way around."
Sam Mackay, Yachting New Zealand's youth and events manager, said it was an exciting time for the next generation of sailing talent to make their mark, following the success of New Zealand's Olympic sailors in Marseille. Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie won silver in the men's skiff (49er) last month, while Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson claimed bronze in the mixed multihull (Nacra 17).
Sam Mackay, Yachting New Zealand's youth and events manager.
Mackay provided a detailed overview of the Aon national youth programme, Yachting New Zealand's world-leading initiative designed to develop youth sailors and help them follow in the footsteps of McHardie, McKenzie, Wilkinson, Dawson and others.
"It is a proven stepping stone, with many of our best sailors coming through the programme. We pride ourselves on having some of the best coaches in the world involved in our clinics, including current and former Olympians," Mackay said.
"At the same time, our sport, more than most others, also allows sailors to develop important life skills, with many exciting career opportunities available both on and off the water."
The Aon national youth programme was one of the topics covered in the webinar.
Talent development manager Woolley discussed previous Olympians' pathways to reach the podium, emphasising that success can come at different ages and stages.
"Sailing offers many different opportunities," Woolley said. "It's about finding the best pathway for you and enjoying sailing as a sport for life."
