Briefings – 3 June 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
LEAD STORY
IRC - New Zealand allows Unendorsed Certificates
 Boat owners will now be able to apply for an ‘unendorsed’ IRC certificate – one where they get a rating by simply measuring the boat themselves, saving on the time and expense of weighing and measurement by an official measurer.
The use of unendorsed certificates is very common in most other countries who have used IRC, and the decision to allow unendorsed certificates will help New Zealand’s IRC fleet grow by making the process substantially cheaper and easier for the owners.
The decision was made by the IRC Owners Association which is a group of boat owners committed to generating competitive racing for IRC boats throughout the country. The Association hopes to get an increase in smaller boats using the rating rule so that divisions can be created based on boat length, which will give fairer and more rewarding racing.
The Owner's Association says that as a measurement based rule it rewards boat preparation and sailing ability and not rewarding mediocrity. The IRC Owners Association are committed to seeing it succeed in New Zealand and supporting the many yacht owners who have an IRC certificate.
The 2009/2010 IRC Racing Calendar is currently being planned with the National Championships being held during the Line 7 Regatta in Wellington. There will also be IRC divisions in the Auckland to Noumea race and Around North Island Race. The IRC 2009/2010 calendar will be published shortly.
Click here for more on IRC.
Three crews finish top ten at ISAF Sailing World Cup Regatta
 Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie have finished just outside the medals in 4th place in the hotly contested Women’s 470 fleet at 2009 Delta Lloyd Regatta concluded overnight in Medemblik, Netherlands.
The New Zealand team managed a further two top ten results with Dan Slater finishing 9th in the Finn, and Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk also 9th in their Star class debut. The regatta is the fifth of seven Olympic class regattas that make up the new ISAF Sailing World Cup.
Aleh and Powrie, former 420 World Champions, are new comers to the Olympic 470 class. Despite missing out on the podium by just four points, the pair will be encouraged by their performance at this event with consistent race results never finishing outside the top twelve places.
The next event of the ISAF Sailing World Cup is Kieler Woche in Kiel, Germany from 19-24 June.
New Zealand’s Final Results
4th - Jo Aleh & Olivia Powrie – 470 Women
9th - Dan Slater – Finn
9th - Hamish Pepper & Craig Monk – Star
15th - Geoff Woolley & Mark Overington – 470 Men
82nd - Aaron Hume-Merry – Laser
Regatta Website
Results
Photos
ISAF Website
Sights on 2012 – London Paralympics
 New Zealand hopefuls in the 'SKUD 18' Double-handed Paralympics Class, Tim Dempsey and Brendan Tourelle already have their eyes on the Paralympics Sailing Event to be held in Weymouth, GBR in August/September 2012.
Whilst it is clear to the pair that they will not be able to represent together due to the gender and classification requirements of the class, they are equally dedicated to the cause.
“For us it is about having a competitive Kiwi entrant at the games in this division. Our team will need more than sailors and talent for this dream to become a reality,” Tourelle explains. “Whether I am contributing in the boat or through the support I can offer in other ways won’t be a point of conflict for us as far as I can see. The challenge ahead won’t allow time for insignificant things like that.”
“One of the keys to the success of our campaign will be acquiring a second SKUD 18 to enable a richer training environment. This will be a critical success factor and one we would like to overcome pretty quickly. We have a number of boats which could be available, but of course it is the usual catch cry of limited funds.” Dempsey added.
In 2007 through the support of the Southern Trust and NZ Community Trust, Sailability Auckland raised the money to purchase the nation’s first Double handed Paralympics vessel, now aptly named the “Equaliser”. Brendan and Tim who are both active members of Sailability Auckland have used this boat to showcase the sport of sailing to many people with disabilities as well as to train in themselves.
The two went on to explain. “At this stage we are looking to identify suitable female sailors to join with some of our identified helming talent. Once these components are in place we will have a real chance on bridging the gap. We have a number of prospects who we hope to trial in the coming months, but we are also on the lookout for others that may fit the bill. The basic criterion is a female with minimal disability and good upper body strength. Someone from a sailing background would be ideal but not essential.”
If you would like to know more about New Zealand’s London Paralympics hopefuls go to the Yachting New Zealand website. If you wish to get behind New Zealand’s Paralympics sailing prospects please contactmarty@yachtingnz.org.nz or Brendan Tourelle btourelle@gmail.com.
Kiwi Match Racers in Korea
The 2009 Korea Match Cup kicks off in Gyeonggi, South Korea today with two kiwi skippers in running for the US$ 240,000 total prize purse. Adam Minoprio (ETNZ/Black Match Racing) and Laurie Jury are amongst the twelve crews competing in Korea in this World Match Event.
Read the full ISAF story and visit the regatta website for more information and to watch results as the regatta unfolds. Racing concludes on June 7th.
PM Scholarship Awards
 On the 19th of May 31 of Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance and emerging athletes were recognised at NZAS’s 2009 Prime Ministers Scholarship awards ceremony. Awards were presented on the night to each of the individuals by the Prime Minister himself, Mr John Key. Over 160 athletes from around 50 sports were honoured with athlete biographies read by outstanding athletes Julia Toomey and yachting’s own Tom Ashley.
John Wells Chair of SPARC and SPARC’s CEO Peter Miskimmon also attended the function and no doubt were delighted not only by the splendid display of achievements and emerging prospects, but also the address given by the Prime Minister alluding to a potential increase in support to the sector.
The Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarship programme is a Government initiative managed by the New Zealand Academy of Sport with the support of NSO’s. The goal of the programme is to assist talented and elite athletes achieve tertiary and vocational qualifications while pursuing excellence in sport.
Individuals on the programme receive direct cost breaks for course fees and living allowances. Yachting boasts one of sports highest number of scholarship recipients for the 2009 intake which is testimony to achievements in the 2007 & 2008 seasons. Yachting has nominated a further four sailors to the program in the mid year intake.
Yachting’s PMAS Scholarship Recipients for 2009
Andrew Maloney
Andrew Murdoch
Antonio Cozzolino
Benjamin Goodwin
Blair Tuke
Blair McLay
Carl Evans
Chris Dawson
Cushla Hume-Merry
James Sandall
Jazmine Lynch
Jo Aleh
Joseph Junior
Joshua McCormack
JP Tobin
Justina Sellers
Kate Ellinghan
Mark Overington
Matt Coutts
Max Andrews
Michael Snow-Hansen
Olivia Powrie
Paul Snow-Hansen
Peter Burling
Richard Ellis
Riley Dean
Rohan Lord
Sam Meech
Sara Winther
Stefanie Williams
Thomas Ashley
The Outsider Youth Girls Sailing Scholarship
 Thanks to the generosity and support of friends of youth sailing, Yachting New Zealand is able to offer a scholarship opportunity to up to two youth aged female sailors to attend the 2009 Sail Melbourne regatta.
The successful applicant/s will receive airfares to the Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta of Sail Melbourne, and will be billeted by a host family close to the event venue.
Application forms are available on www.yachtingnz.org.nz and should be received at Yachting New Zealand before the 31st of August 2009. The successful applicants will be announced in the Briefings newsletter later this year. For more information on the Outsider Youth Girls Sailing Scholarship or to download application forms click here.
The Outsider Youth Girls Sailing Scholarship is proudly supported by 
Buzios, Brazil counts down to Youth Worlds
 Over 280 of the world's top young sailors will travel to Buzios, Brazil this July for the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, with the support of the events partners and suppliers who are key elements in the championship's success. The Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship has become the definite annual highlight of the youth sailing calendar and the basic statistics of the 2009 edition in Buzios go to show exactly why:
- 283 sailors
- 208 boats
- 97 coaches
- 59 nations
- 21 medals
- 9 International Race Officials
- 7 events
- 6 days of racing
- 4 different classes of boat
- 1 Volvo Trophy
Youth Worlds website
NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team
NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team Training Regatta
A training regatta is planned for the weekend of 27th – 28th June this year with youth sailors from around the country invited to take part. Murrays Bay Sailing Club will host the event. The primary aim of the event is to help further prepare the 2009 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team.
The regatta is open to all ages, however by design the event will provide greatest opportunity to youth teams and squads heading away to their respective World Championships. A strong contingent of youth sailors is anticipated with the YNZ National Youth Squad expected to be on the water making the most of the opportunity for top competition.
“We are promoting this event as a ‘coaching regatta’ which in essence means that approved coaches won’t be limited from being on the course or speaking to sailors during racing,” says Yachting New Zealand’s Marty Watson. “Cost of entry will be $25 per boat. We anticipate that all YNZ National Youth Squad Members will take part in this event and we are also hoping to attract a good number of open age entries in the invited classes.”
Click here for more details on the training regatta. The NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team will travel to Buzios, Brazil to compete in the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in July this year.
Yachting Quarterly Winter 2009
Yachting Quarterly's Winter 2009 issue, for keelboats, multihulls and trailerboats, is now online. This issue covers the international fleet lined up for the Royal Akarana Yacht Club's race to Noumea, Ponsonby Cruising Club's very successful crew membership structure, and Roger Pagani's victory at the BMW Sailing Cup World FInal, with other news and information for boat owners and sailors.
Click here to view or to subscribe yourself for future issues.
Open Teams Racing National Champs
By: Kirsty Short
 Team WKS (representing Wairoa, Kerikeri and Sandspit Yacht Clubs) won the final of the Open Teams Racing Nationals from Mahurangi College (representing Sandspit Yacht Club) in fine but cold and windy conditions at Bucklands Beach.
WKS took the first race easily, but in the second Mahurangi fought back to level the series with a 1-2-3 win. The third race was close, with Mahurangi displaying the speed and teamwork that have made them medallists in the last six Secondary School Team Sailing Nationals. However in spite of a gear failure disabling their third boat WKS held on to win the race. By then the rising wind was endangering the boats, and sails were reefed to try to complete the best-of-five final. Unfortunately the wind continued to increase, and racing had to be abandoned, leaving WKS ahead with two wins.
See the full story on Sail-World.com or visit the Teams Racing website.
2010 IRC Nationals Venue & Dates Announced
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club has been awarded the 2010 IRC Nationals which will be run conjunction with the Line 7 Regatta from 12th – 14th February 2010. The Line 7 Regatta will be part of the stop over for the fully crewed Round North Island Race.
The IRC Nationals will be run in two divisions starting 5 minutes apart sailing same course. Courses will be a combination of windward leeward, triangles and harbour courses.
Mike Urwin Visit
Mike Urwin – Technical Director, RORC Rating Office visited Auckland and Wellington in early May to talk to local sailors about the IRC rating system. Mike commented that the New Zealand fleet included some boats by local designers such as Elliott, Thompson and Ross that were significantly lighter in displacement than the typical European IRC fleet.
Based on the weight and hull measurements, the rating office tended to view these boats as more racer than racer/cruiser. But when he looked at the interior of some of these boats which are fitted out for cruising, he conceded that perhaps there was some room for latitude in the interpretation of racer/cruiser as it applied to NZ boats and that hull factor might improve, resulting in a corresponding reduction in the IRC TCC. So it’s important that owners/measurers submit photos of the interior to clearly identify cruising accommodations such as ovens, fridges, tanks etc rather than RORC drawing the conclusion that these boats are stripped out race boats.
Mike suggested that the other areas to look at are rig configuration. Many of the New Zealand fleet have “tweaky” rigs with small mast sections, triple spreaders, jumpers, runners and check stays. If you are getting measurable performance benefits your rig stick with it. But if not then consider removing the check stays, runners and jumpers. Each change might be worth 0.003 off your IRC TCC.
Mike also recommended that sails are re-measured regularly. Why? Because they will have almost certainly shrunk and you might find that you can take a drop in rating simply by re-measuring them. A quick check of the luff length (LL on your IRC Certificate) and the cross width (LP) compared to the measurements on the copy of the IRC certificate kept onboard will confirm if the sail has shrunk. A check with the rating office might result in a drop of 0.002 in your IRC TCC. Similar checks to the mainsail foot and hoists might reveal similar reductions, since sail area is one of the big factors in IRC.
Sail selection is another area that can have a big impact on the IRC TCC. Boats in Auckland should probably measure their biggest sails, whereas boats in windy Wellington should probably measure smaller headsails and fractional spinnakers.
IRC & PHRF Revalidations Due
Keelboat owners – 2008-2009 IRC and PHRF certificates have now expired - have you revalidated yet? So far we have had 112 PHRF, 3 ORC and 22 IRC revalidations for the new season, so well done to those who have already done this job.
Each year IRC rating certificates and PHRF handicaps expire on 31st May with Yachting New Zealand issuing new seasons certificates from early May. A revalidation form is all that’s required and these can be found onwww.yachtingnz.org.nz
Click here for PHRF revalidations
Click here for IRC revalidations
IRC works well at club racing level
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club in Wellington was one of the early adopters of IRC and over the last three seasons it has generally worked well for the club. Because IRC is a rating rule not a performance based handicap RPNYC use it as the “top end” system.
The RPNYC fleet races in three divisions...
Div 1 ranges from Davidson 55 – Young 11 – Ross 10.6 - Thompson 30. - MRX
Div 2 includes Farr 1020 - Ross 930 – Young 88’s - Mull 9.5’s
Presidents Div – predominantly cruising boats
Results for Divisions 1 & 2 are calculated using IRC, PHRF and General handicap. RPNYC awards race prizes, series prizes and season championships for results under IRC, PHRF and General Handicap. Those boats that are rated under IRC enjoy close racing on corrected time, with boats separated on corrected time by very small margins. On any given day, the winner on IRC could be a Davidson 55, Young 11, Farr MRX, Davidson 35, Warwick 10.6 Farr 1020 or Young 88.
SSANZ B&G Triple Series
Want to challenge yourself? Join in on New Zealand’s biggest two-handed series. Last year the SSANZ B&G Simrad Triple Series saw over 170 entries making the series the second biggest race in the country. With three races spaced approximately one month apart and courses to cater for all sizes of keelboat and multihull SSANZ has come up with a successful formula that just gets better every year.
See SSANZ for more information.
Classic Sailing Opportunities
The New Zealand National Maritime Museum and the Classic Yacht Association invite you along to the museum at the Viaduct Harbour, Auckland on Sunday the 14th June (reserve date 21st June)
The Museum is looking for volunteers to crew on their heritage vessels.
- Volunteers can gain sea time towards a commercial qualification – a sound pathway to a future maritime career.
- To get involved with this all you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Classic Sailing opportunity… The Classic Yacht Association members are looking for crews. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to sail these classic yachts and be part of the crew. Sailing yachts are up to 20m long with all types of rigs. During the winter they race once a month and twice a month in summer.
For both opportunities we are looking for sailors aged 15+ years. There will be two orientation sessions on Sunday 14th June at 10:30am and at 1pm. You can also look around the Museum for free and take a trip on the Museum’s Scow the “Ted Ashby” (subject to available space)
For more information and to register call Kim Admore (09) 412 7837 email kim@yachtingnz.org.nz or Joyce Talbot joycetalbot@xtra.co.nz
Venue sought for 2010 SPLASH National Champs
 The NZ SPLASH Class Association is now asking for expressions of interest from local yacht clubs to host the 2010 SPLASH National Championships. Club’s applying to host the event need to be aware that the event will need to be held in late February to early March, with exact date to be confirmed with the successful club and the NZ Splash Class Association.
The criteria to be considered is firstly geographical, in terms of our spread of events throughout the country, and secondly in terms of the suitability of sailing conditions and the racing area. Other matters taken into consideration are the level of local support for both the class and the event and the possibility of increasing participation in any given area or region should the regatta be sailed there.
Please make contact with Mike Wright, by end of July 2009 if your club is interested in hosting these National Championships.
Email: nzmikew@igrin.co.nz
Mobile: 0274 743 099
No Increase to Affiliation Fee
The Board of Yachting New Zealand has decided not to recommend an increase to the affiliation fee for the 2009-2010 financial year recognising the current difficult economic climate.
There has been a good steady response from Yacht Clubs in the poll on levy methodology. With polling just concluded, Yachting New Zealand will be in a position to advise the outcome in the next issue of Briefings on June 17th.
Image Request
We are preparing our Annual Report and would greatly appreciate any copyright free, high resolution photographs that we can use. Please email files to zoe@yachtingnz.org.nz
Revised Agreement with TAB on Betting
Yachting New Zealand and the TAB have discussed the current agreement which allow sports betting on regattas. Bearing in mind a number of concerns expressed by members, the agreement has now been modified so that junior and youth events and national regattas are excluded.
The new agreement initially allows for betting on the following International events…
- the America’s Cup and associated challenger regattas;
- the Olympic Games;
- the Volvo Ocean Race; and
- the Sydney to Hobart race.
It is hoped that this development will satisfy the concerns raised by members, while allowing for greater public interest in international sailing events through sport wagering with a new Zealand based agency, the TAB.
Outstanding Yacht Club Surveys
A big thank you to all the Clubs who have taken the time to complete the Yachting New Zealand Club Survey and return it to us – we appreciate your cooperation and your feedback. The survey provides Yachting New Zealand with important information for reporting to supporters and funders, as well as providing you the opportunity to give us some feedback on our services to you.
A significant number of affiliated Yacht Clubs are yet to return a completed survey form to us and they are listed below...
Akaroa Sailing Club
Auckland Sailing Club
Bluff Yacht Club
BOP Trailer Yacht Squadron
Burkes St Leonard Boating Club
Cambridge Yacht and Motorboat Club
Charteris Bay Yacht Club
Clarks Beach Yacht Club
French Bay Boating Club
Green Point Yacht Club
Howick Sailing Club
Huntly Boating Club
Kapiti Boating Club
Kerikeri Cruising Club
Lowry Bay Yacht Club
Macandrew Bay Boating Club
Mana Cruising Club
Manukau Yacht and Motor Boat Club
Marsden Yacht & Boat Club Inc
Mercury Bay Boating Club
Mount Pleasant Yacht Club
Multihull Yacht Club (NZ) Inc.
Murrays Bay Sailing Club
Ngaroto Sailing Club
North Otago Yacht & PB Club
Onerahi Yacht Club
Panmure Yacht & Boating Club
Paremata Boating Club
Plimmerton Boating Club
Pohara Beach Boating Club
Pupuke Boating Club
Ravensbourne Boating Club
RNZ Navy Sailing Club
Russell Boating Club
Sandspit Yacht Club
Tamaki Yacht Club
Tasman Bay Cruising Club
Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club
Torbay Sailing Club
Tutukaka Coast Youth Sailing Club
Tutukaka South Pacific Yacht Club
Wairarapa Yacht Club
Wakatere Boating Club
Weymouth Yacht Club
Whangarei Cruising Club Inc.
Safety Inspection Delegation Renewed
Maritime New Zealand has renewed Yachting New Zealand’s Ministerial Delegation for safety inspections for yachts travelling offshore. The agreement has been renewed for a further five years. YNZ believes it is in the best position to oversee this important job while ensuring that a sensible approach is maintained by people who understand the unique requirements of sailing offshore.
Safety Matters
The first amendments to the YNZ Safety Regulations of Sailing 2009-2012 have been posted on the Yachting New Zealand website and came into effect on May 1st. The changes include anchor requirements, GPS requirements, Advanced Sea Survival Requirements and more.
Another key change is that boats securing new Category 2 or 3 Safety certificates must now be inspected every two years. (Those with existing certificates will run the full three years.)
Derry deservedly honoured
Derry Godbert of KeriKeri, Northland has been awarded the M.N.Z.M for services to the sport of yachting.
Derry has made an enormous contribution as a volunteer to the sport of yachting in New Zealand. Derry is a long serving, hugely dedicated supporter of yachting and unquestionably a pillar of the Northland sailing community.
Derry is a facilitator for Yachting New Zealand’s Club and Seamanship Instructor courses and has been since the early 1990s. He has helped train hundreds of people who then are able to teach new sailors across the county.
As well as teaching it, Derry has contributed to writing the course material that makes up both our Dinghy and Keelboat Learn to Sail programme syllabus.
Derry spends countless hours teaching people of all ages both how to sail and how to reach their potential. He runs the Kerikeri Cruising Club’s Learn to Sail programme and is also heavily involved with sailing in secondary schools. Derry established Kerikeri High School’s Sailing Academy in 1999. A particular passion of Derry’s is teams racing. Derry helped introduce Teams Racing to New Zealand in 1986 and is still instrumental in the New Zealand Teams Racing Association today. Derry has an impressive record of performances by teams he has coached including, regional, national and world championship titles. Derry has also been taking teams overseas, growing our sailors and taking Teams Racing to new countries.
Derry also volunteers his time as a Race Officer, running races and events for sailors and as a Judge and Umpire enforcing the rules of sailing and ensuring fair competition.
Derry has helped develop our NCEA Sailing programme, he teaches the programme, he is an evidence verifier, meaning he tests students on their ability helping them achieve credits and he is one of two YNZ National Assessors ensuring consistency and quality of the testing.
Yachting New Zealand is very grateful for the time and effort Derry has put in over the years, and yachting in New Zealand is stronger for it. We believe he is extremely deserving of this honour.
Congratulations Derry!
|