Chief Executive, David Abercrombie will be writing monthly to let you know about the hot topics around the Yachting New Zealand office, opportunities and services on offer and ensuring you don’t miss any important announcements.

It’s been a big year for the sport and Yachting New Zealand invites all sailing enthusiasts to join the fun on Friday 23rd November at our Celebrate Sailing afternoon. Friday 23rd November, starting 4:30pm Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (at the eastern entrance steps) Westhaven Marina, Auckland

Ten year old Sean Herbert of Auckland’s Manly Sailing Club has won the Under 13 division of the World O’pen Bic Cup competing in the USA. The regatta staged at the Miami Yacht Club from November 1st – 3rd, included three age categories with racing for girls and boys. “Conditions in Miami were moderately light which was to be expected especially after hurricane Sandy. The second day of racing was probably the most frustrating with event organizers trying to get in races with the light wind and extreme heat,” explains Sean’s Mum Amanda Herbert.

Outstanding sailing performance; exceptional achievement – the Yachting New Zealand Performance Award is earned by those reaching pinnacle points in their sailing careers and delivering results that make all of New Zealand proud. Those being awarded in this category are the sailors that achieve what our young up-and-comers aspire to – they are the next generation’s role models. The 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards is on the evening of Friday 23rd November – just over two weeks from now, with an afternoon of celebration planned in the lead-up.

Miami, USA has been named as the fifth venue of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. Set to be held at US Sailing Center Miami from 26 January to 2 February 2013, the regatta will form part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup until 2016 and will be the second stop in the 2012-2013 series following on from Melbourne, Australia and preceding Palma, Spain and Hyeres, France.

Once again New Zealand’s biggest sailing regatta is here. Register today in order to participate in an amazing event with a huge prize pool of quality sailing gear that is simply unequalled by any other sailing event in New Zealand.

The Hartley 16 class North Island champs, hosted by the Ngaroto Boating Club came down to a tie break between eventual winner Rumbo sailed by Wayne Holdt and Jeremy Pritt and defending North Island champion Stratos Simon Holdt and Nathan McAthur, both boats from New Plymouth.

The Owaka Yacht Club launched its new rescue boat on Sunday the 28 October. The launching was the culmination of some fund raising and securing of funders undertaken by the Club. This in large measure was spearheaded by Annette White, the Club’s Treasurer, which saw her enthusiasm and a number of applications later being rewarded with the Club being allocated by Yachting New Zealand one of the Optimist World Championship rescue boats.

To be named 2012 Singapore Airlines Young Sailor of the Year is a huge achievement – it means joining the likes of Peter Burling, Paul Snow-Hansen and Andrew Murdoch who all have their name engraved on the trophy, which was first presented in 1996. This year there are six finalists and the winner will be named at the 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards on the evening of Friday 23rd November in front of a packed audience at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Rudderless sailing and sailing with your eyes closed. These are the two drills of the month and we explore why and how to teach these skills, including some helpful tips on how to run the exercise.