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eSailing

New sponsor and more prizes for eSailing champs

Issue date

The New Zealand eSailing Challenge is back to find the best eSailor in the country and this time with even more prizes on offer thanks to our new apparel sponsors VMG.

Yachting New Zealand have been running the eSailing challenge for the last couple of years and it's been a popular addition to the sailing calendar, particularly over the winter months.

Members of affiliated yacht clubs can sign up to race in the VMG New Zealand eSailing Challenge. Club champions go through to their respective regional championships, with the top three in each of the four regions battling it out in the national final.

The winner of the national final will receive a $500 voucher from VMG, as well as another $500 VMG voucher for their club.

If that wasn't enough (no, this is not an infomercial), the top six finishers in the national final will then qualify to represent New Zealand in the VMG Trans-Tasman eSailing Championships against some of Australia's best.

"VMG are super-excited to be supporting the VMG New Zealand eSailing Challenge," VMG brand manager Owen Rutter said. "At VMG, we're constantly looking at ways to find an edge and it's no different when it comes to eSailing.

"We're also delighted to be supporting the VMG Trans-Tasman eSailing Championships and look forward to the best Kiwi eSailors once again showing the Aussies how it's done."

Here’s how it will work:

Round 1: Club Championships
Clubs around New Zealand will be invited to host their own Virtual Regatta club championships, with one club champion proceeding to the next stage of the challenge. Clubs who are unable to run a club championships or do not have sufficient entries may still forward a club champion to Yachting New Zealand.

Club champions must be decided by Monday, July 12. One club member will need to purchase a VIP pass for one month to run club championship regattas. Only one VIP pass is required to run custom races for your club.

Round 2: Regional Championships
Each club champion will then represent their club at one of the four eSailing regional championships in mid-July. The top three finishers at each regional championship will proceed to the next stage.

Regional finals 

  • South Island - July 21, 2022 (7.30pm)
  • Central North Island - July 20, 2022 (7.30pm)
  • Auckland South - July 19, 2022 (7.30pm)
  • Auckland North - July 21, 2022 (7.30pm)

Round 3: National Challenge
The 12 regional representatives will compete in the VMG New Zealand eSailing Challenge regatta on July 31 (7pm). The regatta will be live streamed on Yachting New Zealand's Facebook page, complete with commentary from yachting broadcaster Jesse Tuke, ensuring clubs and regions can cheer on their representatives live.

VMG Trans-Tasman eSailing Championships

The top six sailors from the VMG New Zealand eSailing Challenge will earn selection for the New Zealand team to take on the Aussies on August 7 (8pm). This will also be live streamed on Yachting New Zealand's Facebook page.

Notice of race and guidance:

  • It is worth clubs familiarising themselves with World Sailing's racing rules of eSailing here.
  • Please find a guide to setting up sailing at your club and holding private 'custom' races here.
  • Please find the notice of race in the pdf below.