Issue date
The Secondary School Team Sailing Nationals got off to a bright and breezy start this week at Sandspit Yacht Club, Algies Bay.
Photos by Susanna Buckton
32 school teams from as far afield as Wanaka, Kerikeri and the Cook Islands will spend the week in pooled 420 dinghies, competing for medals in the Open and Girls’ Divisions, and the right to represent New Zealand at the InterDominion Championship. This year there are over 200 sailors, and a large team of volunteers supporting this very intensive event, with 5 days of continuous short, fully umpired races on 3 courses.
Round Robin One saw 2013 winners Kerikeri High School just in front on 9 wins, followed by Auckland Grammar with 8, and Macleans College and Tauranga Boys College tied on 7 wins. Diocesan, on 7 wins in the silver fleet, are the best placed girls’ team.
But with 2 more rounds to go there is plenty of opportunity for change. Many sailors will be just settling into team sailing mode, after competing in the Optimist or Starling Nationals (or both for some hardy souls), and will improve their performance in the later rounds.
Full results are on the NZTSA website www.nztsa.co.nz
