Hello everyone and Compliments for the coming festive season,                                          

Emirates Team New Zealand today completed the permitted 30 days of testing and training in its first AC72 catamaran. Rules for the 34th America’s Cup allow on 30 sailing days for the first boat between July 2012 and the end of January 2013. Tomorrow the shore crew starts to decommission the yacht while the team concentrates on finishing Boat 2.

Are you looking for a way to provide accessible sailing at your club? Looking to establish a sailing group for people with a disability? The NZ Access Class Association with help from AMP has two Access 303 dinghies available for loan.

The Kiwi Ability Regatta, held from January 29th - 30th at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club will be a regatta for sailors with Intellectual disability, those with Acquired Brain Injury and those on the Autism Spectrum. Registrations close 31 December!

Two clinker built dinghies wanted by photographer… can you help? Research photographer Robin Lock wants to hear from anyone who can make available two clinker built dinghies to be photographed.

The first of this season's YNZ Paralympic Sailing Development Clinics took place in late November, attended by seven potential paralympians. Keen to know what these clinics are like? Read on for the full report from YNZ's new Coach Development Officer Charles Baillie Strong

The 2013-2016 Racing Rules of Sailing and YNZ Safety Regulations of Sailing are now in effect and it's time to retire your old editions.

Bay of Islands Sailing Week: January 23 - 25, 2013 NIWA Says: Warm – Dry – Westerlies… Sounds perfect for the Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2013. Keep your fingers crossed. The early entry discount finishes on December 31, 2012, enter by then and you will save $25.00 – to put that in a realistic format – equivalent to FIVE BEERS.

On Tuesday December 11th the national staff of Halberg Disability Sports Foundation took to the Waitemata Harbour on two keelboats for a bit of a duel. The boats had some slight modifications made to become fully inclusive for all staff to take part. One boat, Brian Trubovich's Higher Ground was fitted with a boarding ramp for one staff member to come on board with wheelchair and all.

Race Officials make a huge contribution to Yacht Clubs around New Zealand. Whether it’s helping out with local club racing or running an International regatta, neither would be possible without dedicated Race Officials. Recently qualified or revalidated are…