Issue date
In the second of our three-part series, we introduce you to the six sailors from New Zealand and six from Australia who will compete in Sunday's Zhik Trans-Tasman eSailing Championships.
Remember, you can watch the live stream on the Yachting New Zealand Facebook page from 8pm. There's a $500 Zhik voucher up for the winner with $300 for second and $200 for third and the top five net scores from each country will count to see which nation comes out on top.
New Zealand
Tom Pilkington
Age: 11
Club: Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
eSailing boat name: Comanche4583
Finishing position in Zhik New Zealand eSailing Challenge: 3
eSailing experience: 1 year
Regular sailing experience: I've been sailing an Optimist since I was 5 and I now sail in all the regional and national events in New Zealand. I've also sail a P Class (Blurred Image) for the last couple of years and I’m a regular crew on our Stewart 34 Playbuoy in RNZYS Saturday series.
Best result: I'm currently ranked 12th in New Zealand in the Optimist
Sailing ambition: I want to make the New Zealand team to compete at next year's Optimist world championships and would also love to compete in the Sail GP and America’s Cup
Emil Rooseboom
Age: 13
Club: Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club
eSailing boat name: BigYeet
Finishing position in Zhik New Zealand eSailing Challenge: 4
eSailing experience: I really only started during lockdown but I created an account a year or two before
Regular sailing experience: I've sailed a lot of different classes, including Starling, keelboat and 420. I sail every weekend during winter and four times a week during the summer
Best result: Starling North Island championships development fleet 1st
Sailing ambition: I really like sailing
Australia
Ben Hinks (South Australia)
Age: 15
Club: Brighton Seacliff Yacht Club
eSailing boat name: Ben Hinks
Finishing position in Zhik Australian eSailing Challenge: 4th
eSailing experience: First raced 2 years ago
Regular sailing experience: I started sailing in an Optimist, then a Laser, but now I usually sail a 420
Best result: I’ve represented Australia in the Optimist at the European and Asian & Oceania Optimist Championships, and also ranked No 2 in the under-17 age group for the 420 at the 2020 nationals
Sailing ambition: To sail at the Olympics
Jack Ferguson (NSW)
Age: 17
Club: Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
eSailing boat name: Jack Ferguson
Finishing position in Zhik Australian eSailing Challenge: 5th
eSailing experience: Playing against mates at regattas
Regular sailing experience: Started in the Optimist, moved to 420, now sail 49er and Waszp on the side
Best result: Current Waszp and 420 national champion
Sailing ambition: Olympics in the 49er and SailGP
