NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team Training Regatta

by Jodie Bakewell-White

The forecast for poor weather did not deter sailors from travelling from as far away as Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington and Northland to attend the recent training regatta hosted by the Murray’s Bay Sailing Club at the weekend.

“Interest in the event really exceeded our expectations. In total around 55 sailors entered the regatta, from clubs from all around New Zealand,” reported Yachting New Zealand’s Regional Support Officer Kim Admore.

As forecasted, conditions for the weekend were far from ideal. On Saturday a blanket of thick fog coated the Hauraki Gulf this weekend, which combined with light to non-existent breeze, thwarted racing for the day. Given the likelihood of no breeze, organisers provided a selection of host speakers to ensure that shore time remained productive, in a development sense at least.

Guest speakers included experienced International Judge and on water Umpire, John Bullot, who gave a great lecture on the new rules, and implications of these changes to sailors in the respective classes.

Also, ETNZ weather team member Grant Beck was on hand to discuss the unique weather conditions of the weekend, and what things would need to happen to see a better chance of sailing that day.

2008 Olympian, Andrew Murdoch also spoke to the group about his approach to succeeding in the sport of sailing. Sailors at the event had the opportunity to tap into Andrew’s years of experience in team racing, youth classes and now his success in open Olympic classes.

On arrival at the club the following day participants were greeted with a moist easterly flow that continued to build throughout the day. King tides combined with a moderate chop and building breeze provided plenty of challenges for some of the young sailors, and some spectacular action and tight racing for some of the more experienced fleets. Three heats where raced on Sunday before conditions worsened, forcing abandonment of remaining racing and a retreat to the clubhouse.

Results
Laser Radial
1st Andy Maloney (MBSC)
2nd Sam Meech (MBSC)
3rd Rawiri Geddes (KCC)
Int. 420
1st Logan Dunning Beck & Ben Goodwin (WBC)
2nd Tomer Simhony & Brad Moss (MBSC)
3rd Francisco Lardies & Finn Drummond (GSC/WBC)
RS:X
1st Richard Elis (TBC)
2nd Steffanie Williams (TBC)
3rd Alice Monk (TBC)
Laser 4.7
1st Tane Leilua (TSC)
2nd Ben Whiteside (CYC)
3rd Steve Roberts (TYPBC)

Yachting New Zealand and the 2009 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team, would like to thank all sailors for attending the event, particularly those who travelled great distances to be a part of the team’s final preparations.

Thanks also to Cadbury for supplying wonderful prizes for the event.

Yachting New Zealand