Issue date
Over the coming week the nine sailors and three support staff who make up the 2013 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team fly out of New Zealand bound for Europe and this year’s ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships.
Limmasol, Cyprus will play host to this year’s prestigious youth regatta which gathers together national teams from around the world and runs from 13-20 July 2013. By July 10th the entire NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team will be in Limmasol and counting down to the start of competition.
“When we arrive in Limmasol the focus will be on acclimatisation – getting over jet lag, the change of temperature and getting familiar with the venue,” explains Ian Neely, YNZ’s Talent Development Manager.
Racing starts on Monday 15th with the preceding weekend dedicated to registration, allocation of equipment, training and practice racing. Changing from tradition there will be no rest day once racing is underway and sailors will need to be prepared for five days of intense fleet racing against the worlds’ best in their class.
“We are all looking forward to going,” continues Ian Neely. “I believe it will be a challenging and tricky event to perform to potential this year – all the sailors have worked amazingly well and I am confident they are as well prepared as they can be.”
“Now I am looking forward to going over there and helping the team sail well and enjoy this fantastic event. The hard work has been done – now it’s game time.”
The NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team includes…
Andrew McKenzie (Kohimarama Yacht Club) – Laser Radial
Isaac McHardie (Hamilton Yacht Club) – SL16 Multihull helm
Micah Wilkinson (Ngaroto Sailing Club) – SL16 Multihull crew
Sam Barnett (Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club) – Boy’s 420 helm
Zak Merton (Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club) – Boy’s 420 crew
Olivia Mackay (Napier Sailing Club) – Girl’s 420 helm
Abby Goodwin (Napier Sailing Club) – Girl’s 420 crew
Markus Somerville (Wakatere Boating Club) – 29er helm
Jack Simpson (Wakatere Boating Club) – 29er crew
Team support
Ian Neely, Jim Maloney and Karin Adelinger
The regatta schedule:
Saturday 13th July: Registration and equipment allocation
Sunday 14th July: Training day and practice racing
Monday 15th – Friday 19th July: Competition Racing (no rest day)
Links:
Sailor profiles
ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships Regatta website
The team is proudly supported by the following…
NZL Yachting Trust
HPSNZ
Oceanbridge Shipping
SLAM
