Entries for the 70th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race officially closed on the evening of Friday 31 October. The resulting line-up of 119 yachts – set to be the event’s largest in a decade – is befitting of such a historic occasion. The presence of five 100 foot Maxis will steal the news headlines, but the impressive nature of the fleet stretches far beyond the fastest boats. Adding lustre to the occasion are a host of yachts that have won the race before, ten international entrants, and an array of Australian crews spearheaded by sailors with over 40 editions of the race to their name.
Ten sailors or teams have been selected to receive a Yachting New Zealand Performance Award in 2014 recognising an outstanding performance and/or exceptional performances in the sport of yachting over the past twelve months.
More than 500 delegates are at the 2014 ISAF Annual Conference in Palma de Mallorca, Spain to discuss, debate and make decisions that will take the sport forward into 2015.
Here’s a look at the up-coming sailing related events around the country for the next couple of weeks. See the YNZ on-line calendar for full details of these events and those on beyond that.
ISAF and Rolex are delighted to announce that the winners of the 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are:
Male: James Spithill (AUS)
Female: Martine Grael & Kahena Kunze (BRA)
David Robertson, who has been competing in windsurfing and kiteboarding for years, had a dream to enter the long distance Coastal Classic, but not in a yacht, on his kiteboard!
With summer nearly here, the New Zealand Herald published a helpful article on October 25th to help the landlubbers amongst us in the “City of Sails” to also get out there.
It’s coming around fast – enter now – our entry list is on line.
Exciting news. The new Sport’s Boat on the market will be racing at the 2015 Bay Regatta – the VX One – fast and fun; manufactured here in New Zealand by our world famous boat building company ‘Mackay Boats’. See the attachment, it’s worth a look.
Yachting New Zealand’s Auckland office is moving from Westhaven to Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna on November 14th.
The new physical address, from Monday 17th November will be 4 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna. The move means the Yachting New Zealand office will be closed for business for at least two days;
Greater public access to a key part of the North Shore coastline coupled with a community and marine activity hub which could be enjoyed by all ages is a key plank in a revised plan proposed for the Northern Activity Zone.
Recently a kiwi team competed at the 2014 Optimist World Championships held in Argentina coming up against 207 sailors from 38 nations. Racing came to a close on October 31st.
If you know anyone that is keen to get into sailing and boating, but doesn’t know where to start, please tell them about the Boating 101 Seminar at Westhaven Marina on the evening of Monday 10 November.
Paraplegic Jonathan Martins has single-handedly sailed into Tauranga on October the 16th, after a total of 72 days sailing alone at sea, on a passage that took almost 4 months from Panama to New Zealand, across the Pacific Ocean.
Nominations for the 2014 Attitude Awards have closed and the 3 finalists in each category announced, and a very familiar name appears under the “Making A Difference” category!
By now most of you should have made it home from this year's PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic - wherever home may be! For some it's the Bay of Islands, for others, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Australia and even Hong Kong. What a fantastic turnout from around the country, and from beyond our shores.
The 2014 Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards is just over two weeks away following the recent announcement of this year’s Service and Performance Awards.
The big winners will be announced on the night, at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland on Friday 21 November.
Tickets are on sale now.
One lucky Club will receive a Black NZL Sailing shell jacket (size large) - all clubs registered for 2015 Volvo National Sailing and Boating Day by 1 December 2015 will go in the draw to win.
This morning (NZ time) ISAF announced the 2014 winners of the ISAF Rolex World Sailor Awards.
Named as finalists after an amazing year New Zealand’s own Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have missed out on the title which went to Oracle USA helmsman Jimmy Spithill of Australia.
Before leaving for the Awards ceremony in Palma de Mallorca, Spain Burling and Tuke spoke about what the nomination meant to them…
A new children’s book from renowned author Tessa Duder is available as a fundraiser for yacht clubs.
Out on the Water: Twelve Tales of the Sea is all about kids enjoying sailing and boats in a wide range of settings around New Zealand.
For the first time in 10 years, the action-packed 12 foot skiffs will return to Sydney Harbour proper when the acclaimed Australian versus New Zealand 12ft skiff Interdominion Championship, conducted by the 12ft Skiff Association and hosted by the Australian18 Footers League at Double Bay, is held from 3-10 January, 2015.
Important information regarding 2015 Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarships, including the YNZ endorsement guidelines, is now available on the Yachting New Zealand website.
Yachting New Zealand is pleased to welcome Angus Willison to the role of Safety and Technical Officer.
Angus has been a Safety Inspector since 2009 after returning from an extended cruise with his young family, and he is an enthusiastic supporter and active participant. In the role of Safety and Technical Officer he is responsible for Safety Inspectors and regulations, safety advice and advocacy.
Here’s a look at the up-coming sailing related events around the country for the next couple of weeks. See the YNZ on-line calendar for full details of these events and those on beyond that.
