I arrived in Palma with the other three Kiwi Laser sailors on the 24th of March, exactly a week out from the start of the first European ISAF World Cup event of 2014 – the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta.

Retiring chairman of Emirates Team New Zealand Gary Paykel has announced the formation of a new five-member board of directors to govern Emirates Team New Zealand.

The wind turned on in Auckland this weekend and the NZ Kite Racing Nationals was a great two day event. There was a late change of venue and racing was held off Lansdowne street in Shoal Bay to make the most of the midday high tide and south westerly forecast.

Our reigning World Champions in the 49er and 470 have shown their class and delivered two gold medals at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma which wrapped up today on the Spanish Island of Mallorca. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke secured the 49er gold with ease, while Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie came from behind to topple the French leaders and take the Women’s 470 gold on the final day.

The NZL Sailing Team looks assured of two podium finishes at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma with just one day of the regatta remaining. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke hold a strong lead in the 49er while Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (pictured above) are in 2nd place in the Women’s 470.

It was an eventful day in Palma for day four of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Regatta with plenty of wind, waves and capsizes - and one enormous air carrier forcing the Race Committee to change course areas. Despite not staying upright Peter Burling and Blair Tuke still have the overall lead in the 49er. None of the 470 divisions raced in today’s high winds meaning Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie are still lying 3rd.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have taken the lead in the 49er class as ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma at the regatta’s midway mark in Mallorca, Spain today. Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie retain 3rd in the Women’s 470. Many of the NZL Sailing Team had their best day yet making further gains on day three of the six day regatta, which saw a mix of conditions with solid breeze and waves on some course areas while others were light and fickle. Four kiwi crews are now in the top five of their fleet.

Do you love the Hauraki Gulf? Your input can help protect the areas of the gulf you enjoy from development and farming and protect it for cruising. Sea Change is seeking input from users of the Hauraki Gulf in to a planning process looking at the use of the gulf in the long term. This work is being driven by a Stakeholder Working Group and YNZ has concerns that it is dominated by commercial and industry interests and that the views of recreational users are underrepresented.

There was no shortage of smiles among the Pouto kids who gave sailing a go at Kai Iwi Lakes last week. While it may have sparked a sailing passion for some, others were glad to have the opportunity to try something new.

Are you looking for an opportunity to do some coaching overseas? The Tanzania National Optimist team is looking for a coach to train them for the African Championships in October 2014 which will take place in Morocco.