Its Awards season and New Zealand’s yachties have been scooping the annual regional prize-giving celebrations around the country. Most recently yachting came under the spotlight again at the 2012 Sport Auckland Awards and the 2012 Northland Sports Awards.

Portuguese PhD student Luis Silveira was in New Zealand last Autumn doing some research, and he would now appreciate feedback from kiwi boat owners (and yachties who do not own their boat but who rent or borrow from friends) to complete his work.

Nail-biting Speed! Hair-raising action! Fun for the whole family! (As long as you don't mind being shown up by your kids, that is.) Optimist Match Racing at Opua Cruising Club is back. It's the hottest event on the OCC Calendar (as long as the weather is sunny, of course).

Silver medallist Peter Burling and Blair Tuke update on recent weeks and what’s to come…

Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2013 is pleased to announce a progressive travel rebate for Olympic and Paralympic class competitors from outside the Auckland region. The rebate is to encourage New Zealand wide Olympic and Paralympic sailors to join in New Zealand’s only ISAF Grade 1 regatta at Royal Akarana Yacht Club 2-5 February 2013.

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing – the extreme windsports! Six classes, three events, one week - fun and action for all. From complete beginners to Olympic athletes!

TV3 reporter Greg Pearson went for a ride on Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC72 and talks with Dean Barker and Grant Dalton. His report:

A whopping 163 young sailors descended on Lake Taupo for the Optimist North Island Championships November 16-18 in extremely challenging weather conditions. A wide range of wind strengths and cold temperatures did not get in the way of completing a full programme of twelve races.

10,000+ lifestyle items and marine apparel must go in this final pre xmas sale from Events Clothing. This monster sale will be held over three full days: Saturday 8th - Monday 10th December. Eftpos and credit card facilities will be available on site.

It was great to see all 14 entered boats make the start line. Only Marilyn (sunburn) and Farrago II (mast damage) didn’t quite make it. Congratulations to Team Vodafone Sailing who set a new multihull race record. They beat their own record that they set in 2010 by just 3 minutes and 2 seconds. They completed the race in 27 hours 11 minutes and 58 seconds. Brilliant effort!