News library

Sailors competing at World Masters Games 2017 will have access to exclusive athlete only social events on Queens Wharf as part of their Games registration package.

With exactly six months to go until the Games commence, the Local Organising Committee has announced plans for the Queens Wharf Entertainment Hub with plenty on offer for the public and some exclusive extras for registered Games participants.

Yachting New Zealand CEO David Abercrombie says the announcement of the Games Entertainment Hub is great news for all sailors interested in competing.

World Masters Games sailing at Torbay from 22nd to 28th April next year will offer sailors over 35 the opportunity to sail in a world class dinghy event with classes of choice being either the Laser or Weta. 

Five sailors have been elected to World Sailing's Athletes' Commission following a vote by sailors' competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.
Jo Aleh (NZL), Sofia Bekatorou (GRE), Maayan Davidovich (ISR), Juan Ignacio Maegli (GUA) and Vasiliij Zbogar (SLO) join existing members Sarah Gosling (GBR) as well as Lijia Xu (CHN) and Yann Rocherieux (FRA).

Showing dominance at the inaugural Professionals Elliott 6 Youth Championships over Labor Weekend was the team from Queen Charlotte Yacht Club who took out the event with a clean sweep of the scoreboard. 

The superbly organised inter-club contest comprised three days of fleet racing held from Naval Point Yacht Club using the clubs’ fleet of Elliott 6’s to r

Chris Steele and his crew of Harry Hull, Josh Salthouse & Harry Thurston retain their New Zealand match racing title for the second year after defeating Graeme Sutherland and crew in three straight matches.The action all kicked off at 10am on 16 October.

Remarkable tale behind 2016 Yachting New Zealand Cruising award recipient.

This year an exceptional story of self reliance and personal responsibility surrounds the recipient of Yachting New Zealand’s Cruising award.

Maritime New Zealand has announced the new "no excuses" drive to comply with lifejacket regulations in conjunction with Safer Boating Week from 14-21 October. Waikato Regional Council is lending it's support to the national push which could see fines of up to $300 imposed for breaches of regulations. 

A host of Yachting New Zealand sailors have been named among the finalists for the 2016 annual Massey University Harbour Sport Excellence Awards. The awards recognize exceptional performances and contribution to sport in the North Harbour region and will be celebrated on 25 November. 

For Auckland boaties heading to Northland, the Coromandel or the Bay of Plenty this summer, there are regional council rules in place to prevent the spread of marine pests, and separate requirements on the part of marinas. In light of this an information evening will be held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on November 7 for all club members and harbour uses. 

Registrations of interest are now open for a new marina in Lyttelton Harbour. Development of the marina by Lyttleton Port of Christchurch (LPC) will be located at the inner harbour pile moorings site in Lyttelton Harbour with plans to create an engaging and vibrant waterfront. 

New Plymouth Yacht Club is pleased to be hosting the 2016 Optimist North Islands, with the Optimist Open Fleet racing from 4-6 November for the Opti Open fleet, and the Green Fleet Optis and Starlings from 5-6 November. 

A tremendous amount of expertise shown in race management areas is reflected in Royal Akarana Yacht Club vice commodore Sally Garrett’s nomination for a 2016 Yachting New Zealand service award.

Strong winds and squally showers in typical Spring fashion greeted the 58 sailors competing in the Yachting New Zealand Youth Trials at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club from 4th-8th October. The event saw sailors battling it out for the top spot in the 29er, Laesr Radial, 420, and RS:X85 classes.  

A transformation of Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club’s building is thanks to the vision and dedication of two community-minded men.

Graham Thow and Des Rouse are dual recipients of a Yachting New Zealand Service award for 2016 and have been instrumental in a massive turn-around phase for the Auckland club.

Truly representing what it means to “sail for life” is a pair who have collectively given over one hundred years of selfless service to yachting in New Zealand.

Named as 2016 Volvo Excellence Service award recipients, Jim and Margaret Park have dedicated much of their lives to both their home club of Christchurch Yacht Club as well as numerous provincial, national, and international events, boards, and associations.

Returning from the New Caledonia Optimist Nationals recently was the 10-strong New Zealand Optimist Development Team. 

Youngsters to compete included 11-year-olds Amelia Angus, Ned Bacon, George Pilkington and Lizzie Shapland as well as 12 year-olds Luke Armstrong, Suede Cowley, Luc Gladwell, Wilbur Stanley and Sean Sun.

A Day Skipper Course will be held at Weiti Boating Club In Arkles Bay over two days, 29 October and 5 November. It is the club’s most popular course and the best one for those new to boating. The course applies to a wide range of vessels incluing yachts, launches, powerboats, jet skis, sea kayaks and waka.

Bob Davies is passionate about developing sailors from all backgrounds and ages within the Wanganui region.  

Named as another Yachting New Zealand Service award winner for 2016, the Wanganui Yacht Club life member, treasurer and junior sailing coordinator is tireless in his efforts to support and promote activities at the club and in his community.   

A story of true selflessness surrounds the nomination for Mike Underwood of Waikawa Boating Clubs’ Yachting New Zealand Service award.

Despite not being a sailor himself, the 2016 recipient has shown dedication over the last seven years within the race management realm at WBC along with various other facets of sailing in the community.

Yachting New Zealand is pleased to name a team of 13 sailors to compete at the 2016 Aon Youth World Sailing Championships which run from 14 December to 20 December in Torbay, Auckland

The prestigious international event sees national teams from around the world gather together for a week long regatta for youth class sailors under-19 years of age. New Zealand will be represented in eight of the nine events being contested in 2016.

Yachting New Zealand is pleased to name a team of 13 sailors to compete at the 2016 Aon Youth World Sailing Championships which run from 14 December to 20 December in Torbay, Auckland

Applications for the role of Communications Manager (Fixed Term, Part-time) with Yachting New Zealand are being accepted until the deadline of 9am, Monday 31st October 2016. 

Known as a bright and bubbly personality in Canterbury, Viki Moore from Naval Point Yacht Club is a woman of many talents.

A story of strength and heart for developing young sailors – Keith Hay named among the 2016 Yachting New Zealand Service Award winners

New Zealand won the inaugural Pacific Rim Inter-Schools Team Sailing Championships and also the Inter-dominion Trophy, overwhelmingly ahead of Australia at the three-day event held recently at Algies Bay, Warkworth.

The start of term four means the launch of Yachting New Zealand’s Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! programme for another season, and the Instructors are ready to go!

On Saturday 24th September, Yachting New Zealand held the 2016 Judges’ Forum at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland.

World Sailing is pleased to announce a new strategic positioning for the sport, expressed in a new, fresh and modern brand identity.

After many years as Editor of Briefings newsletter (and Communications Manager at Yachting New Zealand) I am moving on and soon someone new will take on this exciting and varied role and bring you your regular Briefings update.