Issue date
It's been a busy start to the season for our four NZCT regional development managers, Below are some of the highlights from across their regions and a reminder about Yachting New Zealand's AGM this Tuesday.
The Yachting New Zealand AGM takes place online on Tuesday, November 12.
Yachting New Zealand AGM forms due back this Sunday
The 2024 Yachting New Zealand annual general meeting is only days away and clubs are reminded to let us know if they will be represented at the AGM.
This year's meeting will be held online from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday (November 12) and will include brief presentations on Sport New Zealand's new Integrity Commission and Yachting New Zealand's strategic direction.
Commodores have already received correspondence including the meeting agenda, draft minutes for the 2023 AGM, proposed affiliation fees for 2025-2026, as well as a Club Delegate Attendance Form and A Club Proxy Form.
Please note that:
- If a delegate from your club plans to attend the AGM, you must complete and return the Club Delegate Attendance Form.
- If you are unable to attend the AGM, the club can complete and return the Club Proxy Form. This form can either be used to indicate how your club wishes to vote on each resolution or to authorise another person to vote on your club’s behalf. You may appoint the chairman or a Yachting New Zealand board member as your proxy holder.
- Completed forms must be emailed to reception@yachtingnz.org.nz no later than 4pm on Sunday (November 10).
The Zoom link for the meeting is available here and will be accessible from 3.45pm on Tuesday.
You can access the Yachting New Zealand annual report for 2023-2024 by clicking on this link.
The Club Delegate Attendance Form, and the Club Proxy Form are available below.
For any questions or assistance, please contact your local RDM or Mel Kerr-Bell at reception@yachtingnz.org.nz.
RS Feva teams named for SailGP Inspire
One hundred lucky young sailors will have the chance to rub shoulders with the best in the world when SailGP makes its Auckland debut early next year.
The RS Feva Association on Friday announced the 50 teams to participate in the latest instalment of the award-winning SailGP Inspire programme, returning for the ITM New Zealand SailGP Auckland event from 16-19 January 2025.
Launched in SailGP’s inaugural season in 2019, Inspire is the league’s community, education, and outreach initiative. Delivered at venues worldwide, the programme has engaged nearly 20,000 young people to date. The first New Zealand event, hosted in Christchurch in 2023, highlighted the programme’s local impact, with 665 young people from the Canterbury region taking part.
This year's event will be hosted by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club with competitors racing in front of packed home crowds.
For the full list of crews, click here.
Nick Egnot-Johnson and his Knots Racing team. Photo / RNZYS
Showdown looms at NZ Match racing champs
The New Zealand match racing championships will take place from November 14-17 at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, bringing together 16 top competitors in what promises to be an electrifying event.
The depth of talent is underscored by three entries who competed in the prestigious Bermuda Gold Cup last week - one of the four pinnacle events on the World Match Racing Tour.
Included in the lineup is former match racing world champion Nick Egnot-Johnson and his Knots Racing team who finished third in Bermuda, and are currently ranked fourth in the world.
Also in the mix are Australian ace Cole Tapper, world number six and two-time NZ match racing champion Gavin Brady, and leading youth match racer Josh Hyde and his Waitemata Racing team.
To view the full entry list, click here.
The inaugural SSANZ Northern Triangle was held in 2022. Photo / Live Sail Die
Register now for 2025 Evolution Sails Northern Triangle Race
Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2022, next year's event SSANZ Evolution Sails Northern Triangle Race is shaping up to be an exciting one.
With 40 boats expected to race over 490 miles across three stages starting on February 22, the Northern Triangle offers an adventure on and off the water - and is ideal preparation for the Round North Island (RNI) race set for February 2026, as newcomer pairings and boats seek experience and miles, competing alongside seasoned RNI participants.
The course begins with a 150-mile leg from Auckland to Mangonui, followed by a 270-mile second leg to Marsden Cove, with an extended detour around Great Barrier Island via Castle Rock. The final 70-mile sprint from Marsden Cove back to Auckland will cap the week and provide a thrilling finish.
With a wide range of boats and crews competing, the social side of the event is set to be as vibrant as the racing.
Each stopover at Mangonui and Marsden Cove will provide a chance for sailors to swap stories, and build connections with others sharing the same love of two-handed sailing in New Zealand.
Click here to enter.
Sandspit Yacht Club hosted the series finale. Photo / Supplied
R+R on top in Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series
Sandspit Yacht Club provided the perfect setting for the final regatta in the Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series over the weekend of October 5-6.
A strong turnout ensured competitive racing, with five different boats taking wins across the 10 races.
R+R rebounded from a tough first day to edge out Slam Dunk for the overall series title, despite Shapeshifter winning the regatta.
Full series results are available here.
Over 150 entries have already been received for the 2024 Sir Peter Blake Regatta. Photo / Live Sail Die
Entries top 150 for Sir Peter Blake Regatta
There is still time to get your entry in for the 2024 Sir Peter Blake Regatta - the biggest two-day youth sailing event for centreboard yachts in the Southern Hemisphere.
With over 150 entries already received, it's set to be another cracking event at Torbay Sailing Club on November 30 and December 1.
The regatta, now in its 22nd year, is open to sailors in the Optimist (green, white and open), P Class, O’Pen Skiff (gold and silver), Starling (open and development), ILCA 4, ILCA 6, RS Feva, 29er, 420 and iQFOiL classes.
Age limits apply, so for more information and to enter, click here.
Wired has entered the 2025 BOISW. Photo / Jacob Fewtrell Media
Wired set for 'best big-boat regatta in NZ'
Seasoned sailors Rob Bassett and Brett Russell are rallying competitors to join what Peter Montgomery has called “the best-big boat regatta in NZ” as entries roll in for the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW).
Bassett and Russell campaign the 52-foot Bakewell-White designed Wired and they compare the event favourably to Australia’s Hamilton Island Race Week, noting it offers similar excitement in New Zealand’s own backyard.
“The racing is always good, and that time of year lends itself to an enjoyable three days in the Bay of Islands”, Bassett said, highlighting the event’s strong social aspect and island celebrations.
The regatta, scheduled for January 21-24, follows directly after New Zealand’s Sail GP event (January 18-19) creating an exciting month for sailing enthusiasts.
Eight race boats, including Wired with its 13-person crew, have already registered for the Island Racing – Spinnaker Division. The event features multiple racing categories, including outer course competitions for A, B, M, and Young 88 divisions, plus Middle/Inner Course races for C, E, and Sports Boat Divisions.
Click here to enter and here for the NOR.
Alan Wright has been a cornerstone of the New Zealand boating scene for over eight decades. Photo / Supplied
Gulf Harbour to honour Kiwi legend
A unique chance to honour the "immeasurable contribution" of a Kiwi sailing icon to New Zealand's boating culture.
That's how Gulf Harbour Yacht Club Commodore Phil Shaw describes the Alan Wright Tribute Weekend, hosted at the club from November 22-24.
Known for his innovative designs that prioritise practicality and sea-kindliness without sacrificing speed, Wright has been a cornerstone of the New Zealand boating community for nearly eight decades. His ubiquitous Lotus range of keelboats, in particular, have made family sailing accessible and enjoyable for countless Kiwis.
The weekend will include a burger buffet, "show and shine" boat hop, pursuit races and an honourary sail past on the Sunday morning.
Owners of Alan Wright-designed boats — whether sailboats, powerboats, or trailer yachts — are encouraged to register for the event before November 8 by clicking here.
Twenty-five sailors competed in the P Class North Island championships hosted by Glendowie Boating Club. Photo / Supplied
Gaites, Hutton take out P Class North Islands
Glendowie Boating Club hosted 25 P Class sailors for the North Island championships over Labour Weekend, including 10 sailors from Kohimarama Yacht Club.
Although the first day’s racing was cancelled due to strong northerly winds, conditions improved the following day, allowing six races to take place. Finloe Gaites took first place with three race wins, followed by Callum Hyde and Arthur Rebbeck. Greta Hutton, ninth overall, was the top female sailor, with Amber Hughes (10th) and Charlotte Handley (11th) close behind.
Full results here.
New trailer yacht regatta to debut next weekend
Manukau Yacht and Motorboat Club will host its inaugural two-day trailer yacht regatta on November 16-17.
Club commodore Ric Turner said the Burnsco Manukau Trailer Yacht Regatta aims to bring together trailer yachts from five active yacht clubs around Manukau Harbour. With prevailing south-westerly winds, the Wairopa Channel offers well-sheltered, relatively flat water for two hours on either side of high tide, with excellent viewing from the southern shoreline.
For more information, click here.
Strong turnout for Hansa 303 event
The Hansa 303 North Island championships took place at Ngaroto Sailing Club in late October, drawing a strong turnout.
Jack Horner from Taranaki won the singles title on countback from Tauranga’s Paulien Chamberlain, while Angus and Richard Bates, also from Tauranga, triumphed in the doubles, winning all their races. The next event is the Hansa Liberty national championships in Auckland from November 8-10.
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club hosted the final regatta in the series. Photo / Supplied
Keelboat series wraps up
A successful Wellington interclub keelboat series wrapped up last month as Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club opened its sailing season.
A great race in 10-15 knots of breeze and sunshine concluded the series, which featured boats from three clubs also competing in two earlier rounds at Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club and Lowry Bay Yacht Club.
Volunteers wanted for Wellington festival
Worser Bay Boating Club will incorporate the 2025 Waszp North Island Championships with the inaugural Wellington Wingfoil Festival over the weekend of January 31, 2025.
The club is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with event setup, race coordination, safety and first aid, and media roles.
For more details, contact Dion Mead at dion@outlook.co.nz or Matt Appleby at beerehavensteps@gmail.com.
Rob Carpenter (centre) has been shortlisted for the International Maritime Rescue Awards. Photo / Supplied
Carpenter shortlisted for top honour
Waikawa Boating Club’s Rob Carpenter has been shortlisted for the International Maritime Rescue Awards, which highlight excellence in search and rescue.
Carpenter also won the Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Leadership awards at the 2023 Coastguard Awards of Excellence.
Winners of the IMR awards will be announced on November 8.
Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club hosted the Aviemore Classic. Photo / Supplied
Hardcore performance lands Classic win
The 2024 Trust Aoraki Aviemore Classic concluded with ideal sailing conditions on October 27.
Tristan Ornsby took first place on corrected time with Noelex 22 Hardcore Pawn, followed by Jamie Neill on 44 Forty and John Stalker on Unhinged.
This annual event is hosted by Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club and attracts competitors from across New Zealand.
Full results here.
Marakura Yacht Club recently hosted a boat operator and dinghy course. Photo / Supplied
Plenty of action at Marakura
Marakura Yacht Club has had a busy month, with a boat operator course led by instructor Verity Lawrence covering essential skills like launching and on-water manoeuvres.
A dinghy coaching session with Erik Stibbe also saw 13 sailors of all levels honing their skills on the water.
