Vanuatu has just experienced the worst cyclone in its history with wind gusts in excess of 340km per hour during cyclone Pam’s peak and the Vanuatu Sailing Association (VSA) has contacted Yachting New Zealand with the following appeal for help.

Applications are now open for the 2015 St John’s Rotary Trust Scholarship with two $1000 scholarships up for grabs for up and coming youth sailors.

THE 2015 Jack Tar Auckland Regatta got off to a boisterous start with powerful tides making for lumpy conditions as 68 yachts in nine divisions competed for the honours in the city’s biggest keelboat event.

World Class sailors from Denmark, Great Britain, South Africa, United States, Australia and Germany will be in Port Elizabeth from 23 March to 3 April to sail in the 60th SAP 5O5 World Championships being hosted by the Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC).

31 Teams are entered to compete in the 2015 Secondary Schools Team Sailing National Championship on from 13 – 18 April hosted by the Lake Taupo Yacht Club.

From the blessing of the site, the opening of the Race Village, MAPFRE’s winning of Leg 4, The New Zealand Herald In-Port Race, Cyclone Pam, the delayed departure of the fleet and the breakdown and handover of the Race Village, it’s been eventful, it’s been fun, it’s been engaging, it’s been diverse and it’ll be back in 2018.

The 2015 12' skiff NZ Champs were held during the Mighty River Power regatta on Lake Taupo. Thirteen skiffs faced the starter in light big rig conditions on Saturday and the Race Officer wisely ran five races in case Cyclone Pam turned up to play on Sunday.

Entries for the 2015 Jack Tar Auckland Regatta are still growing. Adding interest and pace to the event, the speed machines in the 8.5 Multihulls will also be competing for their national title, along with the Farr 1020 division who are doing their nationals. Organisers are delighted at the quality of the fleets and will be finalising divisions once entries close.

Expressions of interest are sought from Auckland based Clubs who have interest to host the 2016 420 Nationals.

420 Nationals concluded at Naval Point 15th March, Lyttelton with WBC/MBSC pair Henry Haslett/Jeremy Mitchell closing their National Regatta win not having to attend the last race 12.