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Georgia Schokking, a promising young female sailor from the Nelson Yacht Club, has won a scholarship to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's popular Nespresso National Youth Training Week.
Nespresso, who are keen sponsors and supporters of youth sailing at the RNZYS, will pay the fee for Schokking to attend the week after she was carefully selected from a large group of talented applicants.
When first told of her success in winning this scholarship, Schokking was over the moon. “Thank you so much to the team at Nespresso," she said. "This is incredible. Living in Nelson means it is always expensive to travel for sailing and this is going to make a world of difference.”
This will be the 16-year-old’s second Nespresso Youth Training week as she also attended last summer, and she is more than ready to take her sailing knowledge and skills to another level.
“At this year’s training week I am wanting to gain a larger understanding of the different roles, specifically bow and trim, as I have never gained experience in these areas. I also want to really improve my boat handling on a larger boat.”
Heading into its 29th year, the Nespresso National Youth Training Week comprises a week of intensive training at the Squadron’s Lidgard House and on the waters surrounding Kawau Island. All of the sailing is done in Elliott 7s and under the gaze of a handful of leading coaches, including RNZYS Youth Training Programme coach Reuben Corbett.
“This really is a fantastic week of learning for these young sailors who come from all around the country just to take part," Corbett said. "It is always satisfying to see how much they advance their skills and it is an absolute pleasure to help great youth talent – such as Georgia’s – head towards a career in sailing. Georgia is very deserving of this scholarship and I look forward to having her back at Kawau this year. ”
Schokking has been sailing for four years and in that time has racked up plenty of experience sailing Optimists, Starlings, 420s and also Elliott 6s and 7s.
Last year, Schokking was recognised as the best female centreboard sailor at the Nelson Yacht Club and was selected to be the Nelson regional representative at the Starling national match racing competition. She's already competed internationally in Australia and Rarotonga and has her sights on some goals for 2019.
“I want to qualify for the Nelson Girl's 420 team to compete at the Interdominion Regatta in Hobart, as well as sail in the gold fleet at the 420 nationals. In the Starling, my goal is to perform really well at the 2019 nationals.”
