After successful campaigns in Waikawa and Wellington over the summer Craig Edwards and his team on Flying Machine must be seen to be the favourites to defend their Knight Frank South Island Young 88 title this weekend on Lyttelton Harbour. But Edwards is not expecting have it all his own way.

The 2015 NZ Women’s Keelboat championships will be held on the 28th & 29th March 2015 and will be run by the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron.

Wellington’s Lowry Bay Yacht Club is holding an Orienteering Boat Rally on 15th March. The new initiative is a cross between the sport of orienteering and the Amazing race.

With the majority of OK Dinghy World Championship winners over the past two decades being production GRP boats, you could be forgiven for thinking that the home building roots of the class have long been forgotten. However this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Wakatere Boating Club hosted a combined New Zealand National Championships for the 470 and Nacra 17s classes this weekend. A fleet of five took part in the 470 class, notably Olympic gold medalists Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, and top men’s crew Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox who teamed up two years ago. Three Nacra 17 crews competed with hot favourites being Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders who have had good results on the international circuit in this new Olympic class.

A meeting of 15 Lotus yacht owners at the Lowry Bay Yacht Club on 20 February enthusiastically ageed to re-establish the association. It had been in recess for several years. All classes were represented at the meeting including the Lotus 1280's which had previously not taken an active part in the association.

Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club has had yet another successful RSA Laser Regatta that saw 39 Laser sailors and their steeds from all over the World – Canada, Austria, Switzerland –as well as the North Island, Taipa, Onerahi, Hamilton and Lake Ngaroto come and do battle on this challenging spot of water in Auckland.

The Auckland Grammar team helmed by Sam Morgan win the 2015 Harken Schools Regatta. Sam and his team of Tommy Hayes, Alex Wotton and Alejo Redriera were the successful winners of the Gold Fleet with a total of two race wins and 16 points overall. In a nail bitter finish that saw the top 3 teams only separated by 1 point each, Auckland Grammar were the victors with a total of 16 points, Hutt International Boys School next on 17 points and third overall was St. Kentigern College on 18 points.

It's a hive of activity down in the Race Village with more than 59,000 visitors flocking to the Viaduct over the weekend. All six of the Volvo Ocean 65 boats have now been hauled out of the water and lifted on to cradles for maintenance and repairs. The masts have been wheeled off site for their maintenance and The Boatyard is busy looking at any work required on the sails.

Volvo New Zealand are extending a very warm welcome to all members of Yachting New Zealand clubs and Volvo vehicle owners to the SeaLounge at the Volvo Pavilion in the Viaduct Events Centre during the Auckland Stopover. This offer can be taken up any day of the Volvo Ocean Race, between the hours of 10:00 – 11:00 or 3:00-4:00.