Back to top anchor
Close main menu
Open main menu Close main menu
Amelia Angus and Rebecca Hume

Top racing expected at youth champs

Issue date

There might not be the carrot of sailing at the youth worlds at the end of it but there will be no absence of spice at this week's NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Championships.

December's youth sailing world championships due to be held in Brazil have been cancelled due to Covid-19 but Yachting New Zealand will still name an NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Team at the end of the youth champs.

All of the youth classes will compete across four days of racing at the Manly Sailing Club, including for the first time windfoiling and kitefoiling.

"It's been a really difficult year for everyone, and it will be disappointing for many they won't have the chance to represent the NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Team at the youth worlds, but we still think it's important to select a New Zealand team," Yachting New Zealand talent development manager Geoff Woolley said. "This is the pinnacle event for youth sailors this year and we expect to see a really good level of competition.

"It's important we have a really strong domestic racing scene and I'm confident we will come out of this [Covid-19 world] stronger than we have ever been with squads working together and developing all levels of the fleet."

A total of 53 boats will compete, with the combined 29er fleet of 17 boats the biggest fleet this week. It will also be one of the most competitive with a handful of teams capable of finishing on top.

As an added incentive, a highlights programme will be put together and played on the Sky Next channel to be fronted by Jesse Tuke.

Racing starts today (Wednesday) and concludes on Saturday, after which time the NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Team will be named.