The Yachting New Zealand Service Awards are all about recognising exemplary and/or selfless service to the sport of sailing. The individuals named in 2014 were selected from a long list of nominees this year and all are truly worthy recipients.

This week in the news was a story about an accident on Dunedin harbour involving a rowing skiff and their coach.

Yachting New Zealand welcomes well-known New Zealand sailor Ray Haslar as President. Ray was elected to the position at the 2014 YNZ Annual General Meeting held in Christchurch on October 11.

Dinghy sailing on Motueka Inlet got off to a good start last Saturday, with ideal winds and tide for two races.

There was great competition, sun, fun on this glorious Spring day at the Inaugural Auckland Women Laser Regatta at Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club (PLSC).

After so many long months of preparation and planning, the action begins. Leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race starts on Saturday 11 October (0100 Sunday NZDT) when the fleet of seven Volvo Ocean 65’s head out of Alicante to race over 6,847nm to Cape Town, South Africa.

Yachting New Zealand is pleased to welcome Angus Willison to the role of Safety and Technical Officer. Angus has been a Safety Inspector since 2009 after returning from an extended cruise with his young family, and he is an enthusiastic supporter and active participant. In the role of Safety and Technical Officer he is responsible for Safety Inspectors and regulations, safety advice and advocacy.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are sitting on top of the world after being crowned the 49er ISAF World Champions at Santander, Spain two weeks ago.

Wellington Ocean Sports will be running its first ever Offshore Medic Course on 12 and 13 January 2015. Offshore Medic is an advanced course for offshore skippers and crew.

Sailings hottest properties, New Zealand's Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have tasted multiple successes in a range of disciplines over the nomination period.