Sunday 17 April 2011

2011 New Zealand Yachting Trust Youth Team Named

by Jodie Bakewell-White

Yachting New Zealand is pleased to announce the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team for 2011.

Twelve sailors will represent New Zealand at the prestigious ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships to be staged in Zadar, Croatia between 7th and 16th July this year.

Michael Cate (Male Laser Radial)
Molly Meech (Female Laser Radial)
Sven Pedersen (Male RS:X Wind surfing)
Georgia Schofield (Female RS:X Wind surfing)
Alexander Munro and Brad Moss (Male 420)
Gemma Jones and Verity Judge (Female 420)
Tomer Simhony and Ellie Copeland (Open Multihull)
Logan Dunning-Beck and Jack Simpson (29er)

Team Manager: Ian Neely
Coaches: Shelley Hesson and Jim Maloney

The 2011 team includes some familiar names with three members, including Molly Meech, Georgia Schofield and Logan Dunning-Beck, already having Youth World Championships experience under their belt having competed in Istanbul, Turkey in 2010.

New Zealand has a proud history of success at the ISAF Youth Worlds which dates back to 1971. Over the history of the event kiwis have returned home with a total of 42 medals including 15 Gold, 15 Silver and 12 Bronze, and this year’s team will be looking to increase that tally.

In preparation for the regatta the team will be involved in a busy schedule of training camps, domestic and international competition.

About the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships

The ISAF Youth Worlds was first held in Sweden in 1971. The 2011 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship in Zadar, Croatia is the 41st Championship.

Past notable winners include American’s Cup skippers, Chris Dickson (NZL), Russell Coutts (NZL), Dean Barker (NZL); Olympic medallists, Robert Scheidt (BRA), Amelie Lux (GER), Ben Ainslie (GBR), Nick Rogers (GBR) and Siren Sundby (NOR); Volvo Ocean Race sailors like Stuart Bannatyne (NZL) and Richard Clarke (CAN).

New Zealand Yachting Trust Youth Team
ISAF Youth Worlds 2011, Croatia