News

Sense the Wind is a journey into the sport of blind sailing, following blind sailor, Nancy, and three colleagues as they train and compete for the USA Nationals and Blind Sailing World Championships. Though principal photography has been completed, I will be following 2 of our documentary featured impaired sailors at the Worlds in Japan.

This year the Lake Taupo Yacht Club will host the Secondary School Team Racing Nationals, one of the larger sailing events of the year and also one of the larger secondary school sporting events in general. Twenty nine teams will be competing for the honours of best New Zealand secondary school, as well as the right to represent New Zealand at the Inter Dominions ANZAC Teams Sailing Regatta in Brisbane.

Do you see yourself taking the sport further than ‘around the buoys’ at your home club? Do you dream of putting together a campaign toward international competition? Yachting New Zealand is keen to know who you are, where you are, and what your sailing aspirations are.

Recent crew changes haven't stopped the steam train that is the NZ Blind Sailing Worlds Team, deep in preparation with just one training camp left before the 2013 IFDS Blind Fleet Racing World and International Championships next month.

In mid April, the NZ Access Class Association’s two 303’s (available with thanks to AMP) moved to their new home – at the lake ‘outpost’ of the Wanganui Sailing Club. With support from the Class Association, Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, Sailability Taranaki Volunteers and YNZ Staff, there is now the potential for one more club to become accessible next season.

Racing at the Americas Cup World Series event in Naples wrapped up today with what organisers call “Super Sunday” - a final fleet race that is worth triple points. That sets the scene for what is essentially a winner-takes-all last fleet race. Emirates Team New Zealand’s winning streak from yesterday did not continue and the team had to settle for 6th place, finishing the fleet racing championship third overall, behind Luna Rossa Swordfish and Oracle Team USA.

There was extensive surface flooding across the coastal Bay of Plenty over the weekend. “We can assume that all flood water is potentially contaminated with farm run-off, faecal matter from feral and domestic animals, and, in some cases, sewage,” says Medical Officer of Health, Dr Phil Shoemack. There are potential health risks associated with contaminated flood water and the Medical Officer of Health has provided the following advice to help prevent illness in the community.

Helena Horswell gives us her insight from the 2013 Access Class Asia Pacific Championships: I had been told that last time a kiwi contingent went to an Access Class event here, there was a huge problem with weed in the lake, but apart from the rather murky colour, the only issue this time was the low level, causing berthing issues at the dock for Libertys and Skuds.

Despite some very wet weather twelve sailors took to the water aiming to get their name on the Waller Cup; Sailability Auckland's Regional Championship held on April 20 & 21. After years of trying, John Toole finally got his name on the cup!