Clear sunny conditions, a gentle sea breeze which never got over 12 knots and some waves to work with greeted the fleet today. Yesterday’s 180 degree shifts, calms and gales were forgotten and it was ideal sailing conditions for all, allowing the race officer to lay the course and run races continuously to get the regatta fully back on schedule.

Day two of the Laser Nationals got underway where day 1 left off; 180 degree wind shifts, zero to 25 knots every half hour and tricky tidal flows generally providing a nightmare for both the race committee and the sailors.

It was a frustrating day for all at the first day of the Laser National Championships at Napier Sailing Club. The fleet of over 100 was on the water for the scheduled 1pm start but the wind spent the whole afternoon boxing the compass and constantly varying from nothing to 20+knots so only one race was completed for the Laser Open division with none of the other divisions managing to complete a race.

For the first time in more than 10 years, a New Zealand Paralympic class Sonar team has entered a major regatta. David Barnes, Rick Dodson and Andrew May are a hot team to watch for at the Miami Olympic Class Regatta which starts on January 27th. Known as Team “Rio Gold” this team of individually accomplished sailors have recently started training in Auckland in the Etchell Keelboats, as New Zealand does not yet have any of the three person Paralympic class Sonar keelboats in the country.

On January 27th 2013, Olympic Gold Medallist Jo Aleh will be one of the many helping Sailability Auckland celebrate 20 years of organized sailing for people with a disability in New Zealand

Entries are now firming up as boats complete their qualifications. So far we have 8 boats entered from Wellington and Nelson, with Wedgetail and Am Meer completing their qualifying voyages over the Christmas break. If you haven’t already completed the Advanced Sea Survival course, a reminder that Wellington Ocean Sports is running one over the weekend of January 26 – 27 so get in quick. Click here to register, or contact them direct for more information.

There will be plenty of action off Maraetai Beach in Auckland late January when the Maraetai Sailing Club host the 2013 New Zealand Paper Tiger Nationals from January 24 to 28. The event will see over 50 boats from all over the country competing in spectacular fashion off Maraetai Beach in the Tamaki Straits with the racing format expected to produce some very tight results.

Anyone planning to compete in Auckland Anniversary Regatta should get their entry in as soon as possible. Approximately 500 boats are expected on Monday 28 January, and although late entries are accepted, organiser Joyce Talbot asks that entries are submitted before the late entry date (21 or 24 January depending on the event entered) wherever possible.

Notices of Race have been released and online entry is now open for two Regional Championships: the 2013 Asia Pacific Access Class Championships and the 2013 European Championships. We have the links for you

A number of yacht clubs are finding a school holiday programme delivering Learn to Sail 1… Start Sailing! over a four-day intensive a popular option through January.