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For the ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères over 1,100 athletes have registered to sail with the crème of the crop of Olympic and Paralympic sailing set to compete in Hyères, France. Olympic medallists, World Champions and ISAF Sailing World Cup medallists will compete on the French Riviera as the 2013-2014 World Cup series draws to a close.

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. Are you organising an event you would like to see included? Don’t miss out on some free promotion for your sailing events by adding them to the YNZ on-line calendar here.

Outstanding achievement across the sport and recreation sector has been recognised at the annual New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards, held in Christchurch on Monday night.

Yachting New Zealand are delighted to welcome Laurie Jury to the team as our new Coach Development Manager. Laurie has an extensive background both as a coach and a sailor. We are excited about what Laurie brings to the team.

New Zealand's largest single class regatta of the year, the 2014 Toyota Optimist National Championships is about to commence at Manly Sailing Club on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Racing gets underway next Friday April 18, where 265 sailors from five countries will race up to 15 races over the five days of racing.

Jeremy Lomas and his crew on Flash Gordon came from behind to win the 2014 HARKEN Young 88 National Championships by 2 points over Dangerzone in what was a top performance under pressure on the final day.

Six of our Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme sailors will get the opportunity of a lifetime tomorrow when they join the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for match racing on board two ex-America’s Cup yachts. Our six talented sailors have been hand-picked by Commodore Steve Burrett to sail with the Royals on NZL68 & NZL41.

What a weekend it was, the weather played the game and Evans Bay provided a full range of fantastic sailing conditions from no wind and beautiful sunshine (you can’t beat Wellington on a good day) through to a (more normal) cool 20ish knots on Sunday.

Weta Marine are passionate about showing people what a great sport sailing is. For the past two years we have organized Sailing Central at the Hutchwilco New Zealand boat show to encourage the wider boating public to check out sailing and hopefully give it a go. The next show is from May 15th to 18th and it promises to be a good one.

Do you have an old dinghy oar or set of oars that are no longer of use? Artist Justine Hawksworth is interested in buying any old oars and can collect in the Auckland area. Please phone 0274251459 or email jhawksworth@xtra.co.nz

Yachting New Zealand believes that the establishment of a centralised world class National Sailing Centre will be an asset to Auckland and New Zealand and we are continuing to work towards this objective.

A cracking weekend of fine weather and close, competitive racing closed the curtain on a great summer of sailing. On day 1 the first four races had four different winners, including Lindsay Kennedy's Quantum (1314) - making a welcome return to the fleet after a long absence - class stalwart Phil Pryde's Split Decision (914) - who also took a bullet in Race 8 - and master helmsman Gavin Gerrard.

Retiring chairman of Emirates Team New Zealand Gary Paykel has announced the formation of a new five-member board of directors to govern Emirates Team New Zealand.

A brand new fishing tournament is being launched at Westhaven Marina in Auckland next month with the aim of encouraging more newcomers and kids into the sport.

The 2014 NZ Women's Keel Boat Championships were sailed in perfect shifty south westerly conditions this weekend. A great improvement on previous years when the girls have been greeted with 20 to 30kn breezes on the first day. After 10 races over the 2 days Kylie Jameson's crew with 8 wins were deserved winners.

The wind turned on in Auckland this weekend and the NZ Kite Racing Nationals was a great two day event. There was a late change of venue and racing was held off Lansdowne street in Shoal Bay to make the most of the midday high tide and south westerly forecast.

Our reigning World Champions in the 49er and 470 have shown their class and delivered two gold medals at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma which wrapped up today on the Spanish Island of Mallorca. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke secured the 49er gold with ease, while Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie came from behind to topple the French leaders and take the Women’s 470 gold on the final day.

The NZL Sailing Team looks assured of two podium finishes at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma with just one day of the regatta remaining. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke hold a strong lead in the 49er while Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (pictured above) are in 2nd place in the Women’s 470.

It was an eventful day in Palma for day four of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Regatta with plenty of wind, waves and capsizes - and one enormous air carrier forcing the Race Committee to change course areas. Despite not staying upright Peter Burling and Blair Tuke still have the overall lead in the 49er. None of the 470 divisions raced in today’s high winds meaning Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie are still lying 3rd.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have taken the lead in the 49er class as ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma at the regatta’s midway mark in Mallorca, Spain today. Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie retain 3rd in the Women’s 470. Many of the NZL Sailing Team had their best day yet making further gains on day three of the six day regatta, which saw a mix of conditions with solid breeze and waves on some course areas while others were light and fickle. Four kiwi crews are now in the top five of their fleet.

Yachting New Zealand has introduced an on-line Club Manual chocker block full of useful resources, inspiration and guidance and it’s now LIVE HERE.

Are you looking for an opportunity to do some coaching overseas? The Tanzania National Optimist team is looking for a coach to train them for the African Championships in October 2014 which will take place in Morocco.

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.

NZL Sailing Team crews made massive gains on day two of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma in now Mallorca, Spain. Conditions were light again today and racing continued into the evening.

Do you love the Hauraki Gulf? Your input can help protect the areas of the gulf you enjoy from development and farming and protect it for cruising. Sea Change is seeking input from users of the Hauraki Gulf in to a planning process looking at the use of the gulf in the long term. This work is being driven by a Stakeholder Working Group and YNZ has concerns that it is dominated by commercial and industry interests and that the views of recreational users are underrepresented.

There was no shortage of smiles among the Pouto kids who gave sailing a go at Kai Iwi Lakes last week. While it may have sparked a sailing passion for some, others were glad to have the opportunity to try something new.

Two weeks after Cyclone Lusi caused a postponement of the 2014 Turangi International Open, 21 OK Dinghies descended on the central North Island in somewhat different conditions from what the lake had experienced during the cyclone. The forecast for the weekend was for light and variable winds and thats exactly what the fleet got.

Last Sunday, 30 March, saw a keen group of disabled children and youths having a bit of a go at Sailing. For this group it was a first opportunity to venture out on the water on a yacht.

The week of the 24th to the 28th March marked the 10th anniversary of this regatta and the first one held since the tragic death of the founder and principal organiser of the regatta, Allan Garbutt, in June last year. Overall top performing crew were: Dylan Edwards (skipper) and George Early (crew) and once again Otago Boys’ High School took out top honours as overall top school.

New Zealand dinghy fleets fluctuate in numbers from season to season – some rapidly climbing into the hundreds, and others decline. Among the classes that are riding the wave of success in strong fleet numbers in recent years are the OK Dinghy, the Zephyr, and the Paper Tiger – three unique classes with distinct features.