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On November 20th, several Year 1 students studying on the Certificate in Work and Life Skills (Level 1 Supported Learning) course at EIT, Hawkes Bay, enjoyed a beautiful day on the water with Sailability Hawkes Bay and Monkeys Fist Yachting in Napier.

It was not so much a spectacle as an historic encounter as the two AC72 catamarans met on the water. It was the first AC72 race – practice or otherwise – to take place. The south-westerly breeze never got above 12 knots and the yachts had no chance of stretching their legs and providing the spectacle America’s Cup fans had expected.

Jo Aleh, Polly Powrie and their coach Nathan Handley were all recognised at the 2012 Massey University Harbour Sport Excellence Awards held on Friday 16th November.

Despite it being a chilly and wet evening, five hardy sailors were keen to give sailing a go at the Bluff Yacht Club in Access dinghies. It’s new club members Chris and Hudson’s enthusiasm that prompted the club to encourage more sailors with a disability to give sailing a go.

It’s shaping up to be medal mania at this Friday’s Sailing Celebration afternoon, when sailing’s 2012 Olympic medallists will be joined by medallists from previous Olympic Games at a public ‘Heroes and Legends’ poster signing and autograph opportunity on in Auckland.

Wellington yacht club members are in for a treat with Olympic golden girls Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie heading to the capital this weekend to show off their medals, and meet and chat with local sailors. It will be a hectic few days for Jo and Polly who are among the star attractions at the Heroes and Legends autograph opportunity in Auckland on Friday afternoon, followed by the annual 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards during the evening.

Sailability Northland's Ron Miller reports on their season 'opening day' on November 18th, which saw them sailing their new Access 303's in 35+kn winds! Here's some insight to what they've got planned...

Both coaching and officiating in the sport of yachting requires dedication, commitment and a thorough attention to detail. These finalists have all demonstrated all this, and more, in their individual roles, each enhancing New Zealand’s reputation as a global heavyweight in the sport of yachting along the way. Like the sailors that they work alongside, their status and success help to inspire a new generation to become involved in the fields of coaching, race management, performance and technical expertise. On Friday, 23 November the winner of the 2012 Singapore Airlines Coach/Official of the Year will be announced at the 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards Dinner.

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