NZ 18ft Skiffs - Exciting Season Ahead

by John Little on 6 Nov 2014 The New Zealand 18ft Skiff season is underway and shaping to be one of the most competitive yet.

Over the off-season a contingent of the 18 footer fleet were enjoying a Northern Hemisphere tour while the rest remained training on home waters in preparation for the season ahead.

The club is proud to announce that Stoke Beer by McCashin’s Brewery is again on board as a club sponsor. Stoke Beer offers a wide variety of beverages that covers all palettes, including their Foundation Range (from their well-known Amber, Gold, Pilsner, IPA to the clubs favourite, Lager) and their award winning Recognition and Bomber Ranges. Stoke also offers delicious non-alcoholic beverages including Ginger Beer, Lemon Lime & Bitters and Palaeo Water.

Thanks to our friends at Maersk Line the club was able to send Team ASCC, Maersk Line and Events Clothing to the 2014 European Championships on Lake Garda (Italy) and then on to the annual International Regatta in San Francisco (USA). These boats are on their way home now and will be back racing in Auckland from mid-November.

Back in New Zealand Aon Racing, Yamaha, Knight Frank, Stoke Beer and C-tech put in the effort developing their crew work and boats over the cooler winter months. New rigs, sails and even a new boat will be added to the fleet which is no doubt going to help make the racing even more exciting this season.

Club racing is now in full swing with the Spring Windward Leeward series being concluded on the weekend with Yamaha taking the series win ahead of Knight Frank and Stoke Beer. The Spring Sprints start this Sunday with four races back to back starting at 12pm. The general course area will be off the Auckland Sailing Club between North Head and Orakei wharf and up to Mechanics Bay.

Be sure to come down to the Auckland Sailing Club and check out the most exciting sailing on offer and enjoy our top class range of Stoke Beer products.

Key regattas for 2014/15:
Auckland Champs: 15-16th of November 2014 (Auckland)
NZ Nationals:10-11 & 17-18 January 2015 (sailed over two weekends)
JJ Giltinan: 13-22 March 2015 (Sydney)
ANZAC: 24-27 April 2015 (Auckland)

Thanks to Stoke Beer and Maersk Line for their support and we look forward to a great season ahead.