Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

America's Cup- The Kids are all right - Opti sailors taste the AC45

by Gilles Martin-Raget on 30 Apr 2011
New Zealand Optimist team line up for the big day out on an AC45 Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing

After the Toyota National Optimist Championships concluded in Auckland, New Zealand on Easter Monday, the five sailors in the New Zealand team were invited out for a sail on Oracle racing's AC45. A good picture speaks a thousand words, but the looks on these young sailor's faces speak volumes.

Does it get any better than this when you are a kid?

We don't think so.

For the sailors' view of the day http://www.sail-world.com/NZ/Americas-Cup:-From-Opti-to-AC45---the-stuff-of-dreams/82937!click_here

New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


The foils are taller than me! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
The foils are taller than me! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Russell Coutts tries to beat Leonard’s numbers © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Russell Coutts tries to beat Leonard’s numbers © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Yep, these are seriously cool! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Yep, these are seriously cool! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Russell Coutts finally gets the handles bars back © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Russell Coutts finally gets the handles bars back © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Taking in the moment - an unforgettable experience © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Taking in the moment - an unforgettable experience © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing

Selden 2020 - FOOTERX-Yachts X4.3Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTER

Related Articles

Passion, Precision and Innovation at Metstrade
If you want a positive outlook on the marine industry then there's no better place to be If you want a positive outlook on the marine industry then there's no better place to be than Amsterdam in mid-November.
Posted today at 6:00 pm Jackman and Reynolds cheer on BONDS Flying Roos
Ahead of this weekend's SailGP Abu Dhabi Grand Final Hugh and Ryan dropped a fun new video today introducing global audiences to SailGP and the Australia team. The duo bring their signature banter as they join BONDS Flying Roos Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby.
Posted today at 4:27 pm IOM Worlds 2026 Runners and Riders Part 1
A design history of the class and what the likely winning designs will be A competitor said to me last weekend, "I learnt more in 3 months of radio sailing than 30 years racing a dinghy". There will be nowhere better to extend your learning of racing than by watching the best in the world in a stadium like setting.
Posted today at 4:04 pm Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca example of success
Ferran Muniesa participated as a speaker at the Yacht Racing Forum A renowned annual meeting of the main players in international competitive sailing, the Yacht Racing Forum, included the Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca as an example of the organisation of top-level international regattas in its 2025 edition.
Posted today at 3:51 pm iQFOiL Senior Europeans at Sferracavallo Day 2
Strong breeze and tight racing in Sicily After a slow start on Day 1, conditions at the 2025 iQFOiL Senior European Championship came to life today in Sferracavallo. With sunshine and a solid breeze filling in across the racecourse, all fleets were able to complete five full course races.
Posted today at 3:33 pm Six recognised into Cape Horn Hall of Fame
Cape Horners take centre stage in Portsmouth It was a time for seafaring memories as 126 Cape Horners met up in Portsmouth to applaud the latest in a Who's Who list of global circumnavigators to be inducted into the Cape Horn Hall of Fame.
Posted today at 3:18 pm Groundbreaking 15th Yacht Racing Forum
The leading meeting point for brands, event organizers and teams The international yacht racing community gathered in force in Amsterdam on November 20-21, as the Yacht Racing Forum welcomed a full house of 250 delegates from 26 countries for two days of high-level debate, knowledge sharing, and business.
Posted today at 2:09 pm Zhik Black Friday - Up To 40% Off Offshore Gear
Dependable protection for offshore and ocean sailors Dependable protection for offshore and ocean sailors. Up To 40% Off Offshore Gear
Posted today at 10:17 am America's Cup: Burling on the split decision
Peter Burling has revealed the circumstances of his shock parting of ways with Kiwi Cup team. In the prelude to the Grand Final of SailGP this weekend in Abu Dhabi, Black Foils skipper Peter Burling has traversed the circumstances of his shock parting of ways with America's Cup champions Emirates Team New Zealand.
Posted today at 8:02 am Manly 16s Club Championship Heat 4 & 5
It was the perfect hit-out for Dransfield and crew Hugh and Jamie Stodart Zoe Dransfield is keeping one eye on the present and one on the future as she juggles a busy schedule of racing, coaching and title chasing.
Posted today at 7:05 am
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2025 Sail-World Sail-World Australia and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy