Ten teams line up for RNZYS Harken Teams Regatta 2013

by Amber Roberts on 8 Mar 2013
Ten teams of talented youth sailors from schools around New Zealand are descending on the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for this weekend’s Harken Schools Regatta.

This event was established in 2007 by the then RNZYS Youth Committee as a great way to showcase the Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme amongst school age sailors in the wider Auckland Region. Also at that time Harken New Zealand signed up as naming rights sponsor and has generously continued to support this growing event ever since.

The event has now grown to attract schools from across New Zealand; as far south as Canterbury and as far north as KeriKeri, and is considered a fun opportunity for school teams to enjoy the excitement of the Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme Elliott 7 metre yachts and try some small keelboat racing.

Schools are invited to enter a team of four; helm, main, trim and bow and this year's teams are;

1. Canterbury combined schools team
2. Hutt International Boys School
3. King's College
4. Mahurangi College
5. Rangitoto College
6. St. Kentigern College
7. Long Bay College
8. KeriKeri High School
9. Auckland Grammar School
10. Westlake Boys High School



The St. Kentigern College team are back with skipper Michelle Tait and are keen to defend their 2012 victory!

Registration and briefing commence at 9am Saturday, with racing scheduled to start at 11am. Nine fleet races are scheduled to be held and the racing area is just off the Westhaven seawall in front of the Squadron Clubrooms.

Racing is scheduled to being at 10am on Sunday with Prize giving and BBQ from 3pm.

For any spectators watching, the team number above corresponds to their BIG boat number on the mainsail - so easily identifiable from onshore.

For regular updates and results throughout the regatta check our website www.rnzys.org.nz / Youth Programme and ‘Like’ our RNZYS Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme Facebook page.