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SSANZ

Young 88s embrace shorthanded sailing

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Mixed shorthanded sailing has received a boost with the Young 88 mixed doubles trophy for the first mixed crew online during the Lewmar SSANZ Two Handed Triple Series.

A two-handed mixed offshore keelboat event has been added to the programme for the 2024 Paris Olympics and it's something the Young 88 class association have embraced. 

It's also part of their "cunning plan" to ensure a Covid-19 safe return to sailing as the class gears up for fully crewed events culminating with the postponed Harken Nationals now planned for November.

"After six weeks on pause, it is time to press play," class president Mike Leyland said. "The Young 88 Association has been working with the organising authorities to make the wide and varied 88 event program fit into the always busy sailing calendar and has come up with a cunning plan."

First up is the Mount Gay Rum 1-2-3 Series, which starts conveniently with a socially-distanced single-handed regatta on May 24. The two-handed regatta introduces windward leeward courses on June 7 and builds to the great fun three-handed windward leeward regatta with extras on July 19.

The Lewmar SSANZ Two Handed Triple Series is always a highlight of winter sailing and the class association felt it was the perfect opportunity to launch the Young 88 Mixed Doubles Trophy for the first mixed crew online in the series. The Young 88 class has had solid fleets in this series for a long time and will be looking to build again on the record 11 boats entered last year.

"We are all looking forward to getting back on the water and supporting the clubs who need patronage now more than ever," Leyland said.

For more information about the Young 88 class, check out their website www.young88.org.nz  or read the latest newsletter linked here.

  • Pic: Shorthanded sailing has grown in popularity in recent times. Photo: SSANZ.