Issue date
Sailors Taylor Burn and Henry Gibbs won the Marlborough Sports Team of the Year at the 2013 Marlborough Sports Awards on Monday night.
“It was a great night” says Taylor’s Dad Rob Burn. “330 people, John Macbeth was MC and Sir Graham Henry was the guest speaker. “Taylor gave a great speech off the cuff - even thanked his parents and Henry's. Unfortunately Henry wasn't able to be there.”
Seventeen year old Taylor Burn and Henry Gibbs at nearly fourteen years old joined together sailing a 420 seriously in late January 2013.Their rise in the ranks and ability was fast and dramatic.
Henry had never sailed the boat before or sailed as crew on a two handed boat, they were up against crews that had sailed together for a season or two, and with years of experience. The 420 is the largest two handed youth class worldwide and is the lead in boat for the Olympic Class 470. It is sailed in most countries and is incredibly competitive.
Their first major regatta was Oceanbridge Sail Auckland, New Zealand's only ISAF ranked Olympic and invited Classes regatta. They finished 6th. In other domestic regattas they placed 2nd in North Island 420 Championships in Napier, 1st in South Island 420 Championships in Lyttelton and 2nd by one point, Runners up New Zealand National 420 Championships, Auckland.
Then followed their three country, 7000km European campaign. Results included…
11th from 80 boats in French National 420 Champs, Plenuef Val Andre, France
13th from 110 boats from 28 countries, 420 World Championshps, Valencia, Spain. Top New Zealand Crew from NZL Team of six boats. A Protest loss cost them 6th place overall.
1st from 70 boats GBR National Championships, Pwllheli, Wales
8th from 96 boats from 18 Countries, Junior European Championships, Pwllheli, Wales
Rob Burn says; "Sailing can be a cruel sport, the variables are endless, the regattas like Marathons and a fine line between success and also ran. Taylor and Henry are recognised as amongst the top 420 sailors in the World."
