Firstly, we wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year! And follow up with a bit of an update…
It has been a rather different time for us the last few months, it’s been crazily busy, but not so much the sailing and training busy that we are used to.
We have visited countless schools and yacht clubs all over New Zealand, been to rather a few school prize givings, numerous corporate events, a few sports award evenings and even met some royals! Our medals have passed through thousands of hands, and overall it has all been rather a bit of a whirlwind end of the year!
Are you looking for a way to provide accessible sailing at your club? Looking to establish a sailing group for people with a disability? The NZ Access Class Association with help from AMP has two Access 303 dinghies available for loan.
Hundreds more Wellington children are now experiencing ocean water sports in their own backyard … Wellington Harbour.
Through a KiwiSport-funded programme, the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club (RPNYC) is delivering a two-hour ocean water sports introduction in either keelboat sailing, dinghy sailing, kayaking, waka ama or windsurfing to at least 1250 school children during this summer.
New Zealand’s only ISAF Grade 1 Olympic and Paralympic Class regatta is just three weeks away: from 2-5 February 2013, Oceanbridge Sail Auckland will take place on the Waitemata Harbour.
January 7-9th, CBYC welcomed 52 Optimist sailors of all ages and abilities to the annual Junior Sailing Camp. I went along to help out and see what was going on at the club for the 1st 2 days.
The 2 days threw a mixture of conditions with winds blowing 0-30 knots and most directions. But the sun continued to shine and warm weather was had for all.
Just two weeks remain to get your entry sorted for Oceanbridge Sail Auckland- registrations close on Friday 25 January! We have the link for you to register online now, and more info on the travel subsidy.
Napier Sailing Club is again running the Boaters and Blazers Chase as a part of the Art Deco Week held annually in Napier. The date is set for Saturday 16th February.
Last year’s inaugural event drew 70 competitors in a wide range of sail boats dating from 1930s dinghies to latest cats and keelers. This year entries include Idle Alongs, a Dragon, a couple of X Class and a Silver Fern all dating pre 1950.
Poole, Great Britain is set to welcome a stellar cast of Paralympic and both able-bodied and disabled Worlds medallists when it hosts one of the most unique sailing events on the international racing calendar this year - the International 2.4 Metre class Open World Championships.
The accolades and reward continue to come for our 2012 Olympic sailing medallists with two exciting announcements over the Christmas period.
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie were included in the New Year’s Honours list each recognised with the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to sailing, alongside all of New Zealand’s 2012 Olympic gold medallists.
Talented young up and comer Leonard Takahashi-Fry, representing the Wanganui/Manawatu region has secured the 2013 Tanner Cup in trying conditions.
Cameron Moss from North Harbour was second with Cole Rippey, from Bay of Plenty, third.
Nelson Yacht Club is playing host to the prestigious Tanner and Tauranga Cup Regattas this week with uncharacteristic weather playing its part in the regional Tanner Cup event which was sailed over Sunday and Monday.
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 later in January and beyond.
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.
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is getting closer and closer - January 23 -24 - 25, 2013 – and entries are still coming in. Take a look at your potential competition and DO IT.
The Bay of Islands is a natural sailing and racing venue. To enjoy a variety of competition you don’t have to cross the Tasman, it’s in your own back yard. Join us for the fun three day regatta.
The New Zealand Access Class Association has an opportunity for you to show your support for growing inclusive sailing opportunities in NZ - contribute to class development by becoming a member today!
They do things a bit differently in the world of classic sailing and with two major regatta weekends nearing, including Auckland Anniversary Weekend activities in Mahurangi and Auckland in January, and Southern Trust Classic Yacht Regatta in February, preparations are in full swing to make sure that everything is well and truly ready, boats included.
Junior and senior members of the New Plymouth Yacht Club split into teams of six to contest the Climate 24 Hour Yacht Race, which ran over 22-23 December.
Sailing the seven yacht club-owned 420 dinghies the teams started with a Le Mans start, and then raced over a short inner harbour course, meaning close quarters racing for the full 24 hours.
The Elliot 5.9’s have joined the regatta and will be hosting their national championships. The class is attracting high profile sailors. 15 boats are likely to compete. The likes of Mike Sanderson competing in the Elliot 5.9 class at the Auckland Regatta will see some stiff competition. The Elliot 5.9 class is in great shape.
Palma de Mallorca, December 2012. - The 44th edition of the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Mapfre for Olympic classes, to be held in waters of the Bay of Palma from 30th March to 6th April 2013, cuts its venues down from four to two.
This is a great drill to practice starting.
The idea is that 2 or more boats approach the start line from either end, then fight late for best position on the start line.
High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) yesterday announced an $11.2 million dollar investment in yachting over the coming four years to support Yachting New Zealand’s 2013-2016 Olympic Programme.
The Ultimate Recruitment Company is hunting a candidate with strength of character, who understands the nautical lifestyle and would love to work in and support the industry.
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 in January and beyond.
Don’t see your event in there? Don’t miss out on some free promotion for your sailing events by adding them to the YNZ on-line calendar here.
Santa has come early to Murrays Bay Sailing Club this year as we have just launched our new website. Why let the fun stop when you leave the beach as our new site lets you stay in touch wherever you are.
At the end of 2012 FMJ have made their intentions clear on the up and coming season, putting a strong case forward for a World Match Racing Tour Card in 2013 and cementing their spot as New Zealand's number 1 team, ranking as top kiwi's in the latest ranking release!
This drill is aimed at keeping boats in the middle of the course and causing situations when the boats meet half way.
Set a start line and run the start as normal.
New Zealand's Alex Maloney and Molly Meech have set the early pace in the 49erFX having taken back to back golds at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne and Sail Sydney over the weekend.
Nathan Handley needs no introduction, he has a sailing cv which includes Radial World Championships, 49er Olympic representative and America's cup sailor. While coaching the laser team at sail Melbourne I chatted to my room-mate Nathan about the Olympics, coaching and why he loves coaching at an elite level.
You have just won the coach of the year, is it good to be recognized when the sailors are getting all the awards?
Over the weekend Tauranga played host to some of New Zealand’s top board sailors including both windsurfers and kite-board racers vying for the 2012 North Island Championships held off the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club base at Sulphur Point.
The Yachting New Zealand Auckland office will be closed over the Christmas and New Year break with most of the team taking some well earned annual leave to spend with family.
We are closing up midday on Friday 21st December 2012.
And we will be back from January 7th 2013.
We wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and New Year.
