Brothers Sean Herbert (11 years old) and Liam Herbert (13 years old) from Manly Sailing Club went across to Perth, WA during the Easter weekend to compete in the 4th Australian O'pen Bic Nationals.

Taking the Girl’s 420 spot on the NZL Sailing Team are Napier sailors 17 year old Olivia Mackay and 15 year old Abi Goodwin. Placing second overall in the 420 at 2013 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland, and top girls, Olivia and Abi were in good shape for the selection in February, but left everyone in no doubt when they beat the boys and took the Open 420 National Championship for 2013 at the regatta sailed in gorgeous conditions off Takapuna at Easter.

The calibre of the owner drivers in the 2013 Young 88 fleet is enough to put the heat on the most seasoned professionals. Members of Emirates Team New Zealand have entered several times and prevailed over the last few years but this year the cat is amongst the pigeons and their desire for a serious one design competition has been foiled by other commitments.

As the season changes I want to congratulate you all for the success and enjoyment you’ve brought to the boating community through the 2012-2013 summer season be in Club Racing, National Championships, recreational yachting or on the world stage. It’s been a busy time for everyone! Here’s an update of what’s at the ‘top of the pile’ on my desk right now, and matters of interest to the whole yachting and boating community…

Here’s a look at the up-coming sailing related events around the country for the next couple of weeks. See the YNZ on-line calendar for full details of these events and those on beyond that. Are you organising an event you would like to see included? Don’t miss out on some free promotion for your sailing events by adding them to the YNZ on-line calendar here.

The Race Coach course focuses on developing skills to coach groups learning to race, and also sailors moving up from learn-to-sail syllabus (green fleet).

New Zealand’s Markus Sommerville and Jack Simpson have won the 29er division at the 2013 RYA Youth National Championships which wrapped up on April 5th in Largs, Scotland. The victory bodes well for Markus and Jack, both Wakatere Boating Club sailors, who have been selected to represent New Zealand in the 29er at the 2013 ISAF Sailing Youth World Championships on in July in Cyprus, and were using this regatta as a lead-up event.

Tauranga sailors feature once again the line-up for the 2013 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team with Zak Merton and Sam Barnett continuing the stream of talent to come from the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club over recent years. Sam and Zak have been selected for the boy’s double-handed dinghy spot to sail the 420 at the 2013 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships on from 13-20 July in Limmasol, Cyprus.

Onerahi Yacht Club hosted the Northland Yachting Association Laser and P Class Championships over the weekend of 6th- 7th April. The regatta was also used for the Onerahi Club Champs and the last regatta in the Heart Land Series.

Ponsonby Cruising Club extends an invitation to ALL Auckland yachties to join the PCC ANZAC Day Regatta on Wednesday 25th April.

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