Next week, the Finn class returns en-masse to La Rochelle, France for the 2013 Finn World Masters. To date some 307 sailors from 27 countries have pre-entered and if all show up it is destined to be not only the largest Finn Masters ever, but also the largest Finn event ever.

On the back of a great effort in Qingdao in the Extreme's FMJ came out with it all to play in the first match race event of the year! Racing in the harbour of Hong Kong, the city made for what can only be described as an amazing backdrop! The competition was world class with tour card holders Waka Racing and Ian William's GAC Pindar in the mix and also a lot of local talent.

Volvo Cars New Zealand have come on board as sponsor of YNZ's flagship and inclusive school sailing programme Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! YNZ members will soon have their chance to be able to access benefits from this relationship making it easier for them to get into their own Volvo.

In early May, a young Kiwi team headed over to Japan for the annual three day youth regatta – the ‘International Friendship All Japan Junior Yacht Club Regatta 2013′ from the 3rd – 5th of May. The team of three young and upcoming Kiwi sailors and was led by North Sails New Zealand Purchasing Manager Hayden Whitburn who himself has competed in the very same regatta back in 2000.

Lake Garda… what a cool place to train, race and hang out at for a few weeks. From the picturesque lake we sail on, the awesome hills to cycle up, to the old towns with narrow alleys running in all directions, Lake Garda is truly up there as one of my favourite places to visit. I also have to mention the tasty local cuisine specialties, which make this place even better; pizza and gelato!

We got to Riva del Garda – at the north end of Garda Lake on the 2nd of May, and as luck would have it the Italian 470 National Championships were scheduled to take place two days after we arrived.. so we entered and took part as a bit of a warm up to the EuroSaf event which we had come here for (or cool down as it is absolutely freezing on the water here).

With only eight days left, the Delta Lloyd Regatta is about to start! The Delta Lloyd Regatta team is busy organizing the last things to make the 2013 edition a great success. New Zealanders on the entry list include; Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox James Turner and Carl Evans Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie Andy Maloney Sam Meech Natalia Kosinska

New Zealand has sailed away with three gold medals at Vela Garda Trentino – the first of five regattas in the inaugural EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup. The five day regatta wrapped up overnight in picturesque Lake Garda, Italy where yet another new format for scoring was being trialled.

Kiwi sailor Conrad Colman, winner of the 2011-12 Global Ocean Race, is teaming up with Eric Lecoq, founder of Lecoq Cuisine, to race a brand new generation 3 Verdier designed 40 in the 2013 Atlantic Cup.

The third act of the Extreme Sailing Series was held in Qingdao, China. Being the 2008 Olympic sailing village it was well set up for stadium racing in the waters surrounding the city.