Stewart Elder, Otago yachting stalwart and Yachting New Zealand Honour Award recipient in 2007, has passed away three weeks short of his 90th birthday. His funeral was held today and Yachting New Zealand sends condolences to Stewart’s family.

Nominations for the 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards must be received by Yachting New Zealand before 5pm, August 31st 2012.

Dave Robertson, took time from his coaching ‘day job’ turning his hand to videographer for the morning and put together a terrific little clip of the action at Auckland airport on Wednesday August 15th 2012 when New Zealand sailors brought home to Olympic medals.

Wellington Ocean Sports is pleased to announce that it’s new website has been launched. The site includes full booking capability for all the courses we run, including our monthly open days.

We had clear air, went fast, and picked the right side of the course correctly to sail away from the fleet, and finish our 2012 Olympic Campaign with a convincing medal race win.

YNZ’s Regional Support Officer for the Northern Region, Hamish Hey recently organised a pre-season Coaching Clinic including Optis, P Class, Starling, Board Sailing and 420s for more than sixty youngsters.

To assist clubs and increase participation in our sport, Yachting New Zealand is looking to prepare a new strategic plan for Participation. Input from clubs for the new Strategic Plan is a vital first step and YNZ’s Regional Support Officers are in the process of contacting clubs and running workshops to get your ideas onboard.

Yachting New Zealand has a vision to build a facility that will turn out champion sailors like our recent medal winning Olympians, our internationally renowned America’s Cup and blue water sailors – and we need your support.

The Paralympics are about to get underway for New Zealand sailors Tim Dempsey and Jan Apel sailing in the SKUD 18, and Paul Francis (pictured left) competing in the 2.4 metre class.

This last week has been super cool... We’re so very proud to have won an Olympic medal for NZ. It was extra special having our silver medal presented by Kiwi board sailing legend Barbara Kendall at the medal ceremony.