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New Zealand’s next generation of female sailing stars is set to receive a boost as part of the latest innovation at the PredictWind Girls Championship Regatta this weekend.
The event, which has been running for more than 30 years, will again be held over two days (March 25-26) at the Kohimarama Yacht Club, with organisers expecting a big number of entries across as many as seven classes.
“We had 120 sailors last year and we’re on track for the same number, maybe a few more, again this weekend,” said Kohimarama Yacht Club girls coordinator Bronwynne Howse.
“Last year was the first time the regatta was held over two days, and we were thrilled with how it went. Doing it this way gives the girls more opportunity to sail should conditions not be optimal on the first day. It also means we’re less rushed when it comes to the off-the-water activities and it makes the regatta more accessible for girls from other parts of the country."
This year's regatta will include girls from Charteris Bay and Napier, Howse said.
A highlight will be the exclusive mentoring sessions with some of the country’s leading sailing talent on offer for five lucky competitors.
“Five girls will be selected by Yachting New Zealand to receive hour-long sessions from five of the NZL Sailing Team members – Jo Aleh, Molly Meech, Alex Maloney, Erica Dawson and Veerle ten Have,” Howse said.
One of the coaches will also have the opportunity to spend the day with Yachting NZ’s ILCA 6 lead coach Jenny Armstrong at an AON Youth Clinic to enhance their coaching skills and see what the coaching pathway could look like.
“The PredictWind Girls Champs is all about inspiration and pathways for females in sailing and this is a rare opportunity for some of our emerging talent to learn from the best in the business,” Howse said.
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