Editorial- Playing the High Notes

by nzeditor@sail-world.com on 19 Apr 2006 Welcome to the Wednesday edition of Sail-World.

There has been a lot of Kiwi winning on the sailing scene since the last Sailing-World news.

First up was Gavin Brady winning the Congressional Cup off Long Beach, USA. On the other coast, Mike Sanderson followed soon after aboard ABM Amro One, as they took their fifth leg win in the Volvo Ocean Race; and all but tucking theVolvo trophy in their gear-bag.

On the local scene, there is plenty of end of season action.

Most notable of these was the Toyota Optimist Nationals off Torbay, which attracted a fleet of about 250 young sailors, and about the same number or more of supporters and organisers. It was a fantastic event, as all Optimist Nationals are.

The enthusiasm of the young sailors is very infectious and the 'disease' spreads rapidly. Fortunately there is no known cure, everyone has a good time and leaves with great memories. It’s a very special time of your life for the sailors and parents.

We also have reports on additions to the YNZ 2006 Olympic Squad and a significant sponsorship from ASB Bank for Finn sailor Dan Slater.

The 420 Nationals have concluded at Naval Point, in Christchurch, and Youthsail is underway at present. Congratulations to Peter Burling and Carl Evans on their win in the 420 Nationals. The 420's have a big year coming up with two world championships within the span of about six months.

The 420 Nationals was a another significant achievement for the class - attracting a fleet of 36 boats with a very high proportion of women crews sailing. Same song second verse for the doublehanded fleet at Youthsail, with 24 crews entered. It was not so long ago that this event could muster just five competitors - a couple of whom were struggling to sail the course. In just three years the 420's have come a long way.

At Youthsail, the other classes are bit of a mixed bag in terms of numbers, and clearly some solid thinking is going to be required after the event.

There's plenty of reading in this edition of Sail-World - hopefully you'll have got through it by Friday!

Good Sailing!

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor

PS Please keeping sending reports, photos results and website, if you have one, to: nzeditor@sail-world.com Many thanks to all our contributors