One week to the AON Youth World Sailing Championships in Auckland

by Yachting on 5 Dec 2016 Waiake Beach on Auckland’s North Shore will be transformed into a vibrant sailing race village as hundreds of young sailors from across the globe converge in New Zealand for the 2016 Aon Youth World Sailing Championships from 14-20 December.

With just over a week on the clock until this spectacular international regatta unfolds, event director Peter Dawson sheds some light on how the event in Torbay is shaping up.

“The last teams have just completed their trials, the 260 boats we are importing for the event have almost arrived, and we are flat out recruiting volunteers. You don’t get many opportunities to showcase our sailing venues to 67 countries with a youth event of this scale, and it’s been great to have the Government, council and sponsors recognize and support this,” he says.

Organised by Yachting New Zealand and World Sailing, the event will see competitors under the age of 19 compete across international youth classes including the 29er skiff, Laser Radial, RS:X, 420, and Nacra 15 over five days of racing from host venue Torbay Sailing Club.

Just seven months has passed since Auckland was confirmed to hold the event following a re-opening of the selection process. Dawson says there’s now a real feeling of excitement in the air as more clubs, groups, and people, have jumped on board to help out.

“When you see World Championship sailing regattas come to New Zealand you see kiwis at their best. Everywhere you turn for help, no one says no. Our clubs have really banded together with support in resourcing and personnel to host this event to a high standard,” he says.

During the regatta people are encouraged to visit Torbay’s beachside reserve which will remain open to the public.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to mix with these amazing athletes who will be cruising around, talking in most of the languages of the world,” he adds.

Yachting New Zealand Chief Executive Officer David Abercrombie says it’s exciting to have the very best in international youth sailing talent compete right here in New Zealand.

“Every year this event inspires future generations of sailors. As a nation with a proud legacy in sailing this is a fantastic opportunity to show the world our beautiful country and experience the amazing racing waters off the Torbay Sailing Club,” he says.

The bid to secure the event was backed by New Zealand Major Events along with Auckland Tourism, Events, and Economic Development (ATEED), with Aon New Zealand being announced as the title sponsor in October.

“Support from World Sailing has also been critical in helping to deliver an event of this magnitude in a relatively short time frame, and a special thanks must go out to Aon New Zealand for their support and belief in the value of the Youth Worlds as a legacy event,” Abercrombie adds.

Representing New Zealand will be the 13-strong NZL Yachting Trust Youth team who will join 400 other sailors for five days of intense racing.

A total of 560 international visitors comprising sailors, coaches, and officials will be part of the event which runs from 14-20 December. Race days will be 16-20 December.

Public events:

December 15, 9am: Karakia at Waiake Beach to bless the event
December 15, 6pm: Sailors parade in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour
Race viewing from Waiake Beach on race days between 16 and 20 December

About the Youth Worlds:

The Youth Worlds was first held in Sweden in 1971. The 2016 Youth Sailing World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand will be the 46th edition of the championship.

Past notable winners include American's Cup skippers, Chris Dickson (NZL), Russell Coutts (NZL), Dean Barker (NZL); Olympic medallists, Nathan Outteridge (AUS), Iain Jensen (AUS), Robert Scheidt (BRA), Amelie Lux (GER), Ben Ainslie (GBR), Iain Percy (GBR), Alessandra Sensini (ITA), Elise Rechichi (AUS) and Tessa Parkinson (AUS); Volvo Ocean Race sailors like Stuart Bannatyne (NZL) and Richard Clarke (CAN). The most successful Youth World Champions are Great Britain's Sally Cuthbert and Poland's Zofia Klepacka having won four successive titles in the Laser II and Mistral respectively.

Australia is the current holder of the Nations Trophy, awarded annually to the top performing nation at the Youth Worlds. France is the most success nation through the history of the Championship, winning the Nations Trophy on a record eleven occasions and holding a record 76 medals: 28 gold, 30 silver and 18 bronze