With the calendar switched to an Olympic year, the intensity on the water at the 2016 Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella is a match for the famously bright South Florida sun. In less than 200 days, many of the nearly 800 sailors gathered in Coconut Grove this week will walk in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. 

Congratulations to the NZL Sailing Team’s Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox on taking out the 2016 470 National Championship over Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie.

So, yes, it is now 2016, less than seven months until a little regatta in August that we have been looking forward to for the last three years… Time moves rather quickly, and hopefully so do we!

After a small delay while the wind settled in the morning we enjoyed a full days racing with a fresh NW all day gusting up to the high 20’s and a steep chop providing a solid test for everyone. Racing was again right out the front of the club, with the bottom mark only 100m off the wharf providing fantastic viewing for the spectators on shore. With 4 races completed for the Open fleets and 3 for the Masters the program is back on track with one day remaining.

Auckland’s Anniversary Day celebrates the founding of the province and all yachts are invited to take part in this year's annual regatta on Monday Feb 1st, whether it be in a harbour race or a passage race.

Day 2 of the Woodbridge Homes Laser Nationals at Muritai Yacht Club in Wellington turned on a fantastic days sailing with a full complement of races, including a catch up race from day 1. After losing yesterday’s racing due to high winds, and the Met Service predicting 40 knots this afternoon, sailors arrived at the club hoping for the best but fearing another lost day. But thankfully the wind cooperated and we enjoyed a wonderful days racing. 

A team of NZL 420s took to sailing in Australia over December and January - making the most of the wide range of conditions that Melbourne and Sydney can deliver as well as the large and competitive fleets that Australia has in their youth classes.

Expressions of interest are sought from “Wellington Region” Clubs who have interest to host the 2017 420 Nationals.

With the start of 2016 Volvo Sailing and Boating Week just over three weeks away yachting and boating clubs around New Zealand are gearing up to welcome in the public, and to showcase and celebrate our sport.