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Taking opportunities when they arise has been key to the success of one of New Zealand's most respected race officials.
And, says Alistair Deaves, they don't come much better - or more timely - than the upcoming World Sailing international measurer clinic and seminar, to be held in Auckland later this year.
Scheduled for 11-14 December on Auckland's North Shore, the event is open to anyone looking to take the next step as a measurer and is the latest in a series of high-level race official development courses secured by Yachting New Zealand, following the World Sailing international judges seminar hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in May, and last year’s race management seminar at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.
The two-day clinic will cover the fundamentals of measurement, class rules, and use of the Equipment Rules of Sailing. This is followed by a seminar exploring the roles and responsibilities of an international measurer, concluding with a one-hour test.
While the clinic can be taken on its own, it is a prerequisite for attending the seminar and sitting the test.
Deaves, who served as an international technical officer for the Nacra 17 class at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, knows first-hand the value of having this kind of training close to home.
His own journey began nearly three decades ago, measuring OK Dinghies in the UK and later in New Zealand. He now serves as vice-chair of the World Sailing international measurers sub-committee, with experience at multiple world championships and major international events.
Much of that progress, he says, stems from one decision.
"I've always tried to take opportunities when they were presented. In 2017, I attended a World Sailing measurer clinic and seminar in Auckland. I was talked into taking the test and applying to become an international measurer - and a year later, I was officially appointed for the OK Dinghy class."
Alistair Deaves (left) was an international technical officer for the Nacra 17 class at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photos / World Sailing
It's a path Deaves hopes more Kiwi measurers will follow - one that comes with clear rewards.
"A major perk of the job is the travel and meeting people from around the world," he says. "There's also a lot of satisfaction in doing the job well and having the sailors come up and say thanks."
But building an international career from this corner of the world isn't easy.
"New Zealand is possibly the hardest place from which to pursue an international race official career, simply due to the distance from most major events," Deaves explains. "That applies to all race official disciplines, but while pathways exist locally for most, we need to build one for measurers. There are certainly a lot of good measurers in New Zealand, but World Sailing clinics and seminars like this are vital for helping them step up to the international level."
Click here to register for the World Sailing international measurer clinic and seminar before 31 August, 2025.
