News

In the build up towards the Rio Games, Paralympics New Zealand’s Rio 2016 Chef de Mission Ben Lucas declared he is impressed by the progress made toward staging the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games after visiting the city for the first National Paralympic Committee Open Day in the history of the Paralympic Movement. Lucas joined more than 40 delegates from 17 countries spanning the five continents and spent two days in Rio last week being updated on the project by the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and visiting competition sites across the city. Ben Lucas said “I left assured that Rio is on track to deliver a great Games in 2016. I was particularly impressed with the Paralympic Village which will have its own distinct atmosphere and accessible facilities.” He continues, “Construction concerns have decreased as we saw evidence of progress across the sporting venues as well as transport infrastructure.” PNZ and Ben Lucas will continue to monitor progress as we move towards the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games start date.

This is Finn sailing at its most athletic and powerful best. There is raw power, consummate skill, intense competition and incredible boat handling – it is extreme Finn sailing in near extreme conditions from some of the best Finn sailors in the world; even some of the best athletes in the world.

The 2014 Secondary School Team Sailing Nationals were held at Sandspit Yacht Club, Algies Bay. 32 teams entered and were seeded into three fleets, to sail a series of Round Robins on two courses, with repechages available to allow teams to progress up the point’s ladder.

In less than a month the cannons will fire for the Royal Akarana Yacht Club’s 22nd race to Fiji, ANZ Sail Fiji.

In teams racing starting is one of the most important parts of the race. A team with a strong advantage at the start can quickly turn this into a stable combination, effectually winning the race off the start line.

Here’s a look at the up-coming sailing related events around the country for the next couple of month. See the YNZ on-line calendar for full details of these events and those on beyond that. Are you organising an event you would like to see included? Don’t miss out on some free promotion for your sailing events by adding them to the YNZ on-line calendar here.

Reuben Corbett is a professional sailor and coach who spends his time split between New Zealand and Sweden. For the last few years Reuben has been working for Yachting New Zealand as a Have a go instructor for the summer, then sailing on the match race circuit and coaching in Europe for the winter. Reuben is also the coach of the Kerikeri High school sailing team who just won their 5th back to back national title.

Every two years, Yachting New Zealand runs a Conference for all Commodores of Yachting New Zealand affiliated Clubs. The last national Commodores' Conference was held in May 2012, and was attended by Commodores’ from close to 100 Clubs; this year's is anticipated to be even bigger and better.

Alex Maloney and Molly Meech have won silver at 2014 Vela Garda Trentino – the opening 2014 EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup which has just wrapped up in Lake Garda, Italy.