Editorial- Learning the easy way!

by nzeditor@sail-world.com on 27 Oct 2006 Welcome to the week-end edition of Sail-World.com/nz newsletter

In Spain, life seems to have quietened down in the Velux 5 Oceans Race, with Bernard Stamm (SUI) at sea and racing away, having suffered only minor damage in the severe storm. Japan’s Kojiro Shiraishi is in second place overall, with the rest of the fleet about to start in various stages. New Zealand’s Graham Dalton is one of these.

In San Francisco the Allianz Cup has got underway sailed in the popular J-105 keelboats. Ben Ainslie (GBR) from Emirates Team New Zealand is getting in some valuable match racing practice and was one of three skippers tied at the top iof the table after the opening day with New Zesaland’s Chris Dickson in fourth overall. We feature a race report and superb images from the opening day from Chuck Lantz in San Francisco.

One the local scene we have a final report on the 2006 HSBC Coastal Classic, and photos, from Jane Pares, who was in the middle of the fleet but elected to pull out when the wind dropped out on early Saturday morning and they had a leisurely cruise for the remainder of the weekend.

Jane has also put together some extracts from a log kept by Maarten Durent, owner of a Bavararia 46, who wanted to obtain a RYA day Skipper’s ticket so he could improve his boathandling and competence around the Hauraki Gulf, but could also venture offshore and charter a Bavaria 46 – and being certified to meet the basic charter requirements of a skipper. What is interesting is that Maarten did the course on his own boat, rather than going to a sailing school.

One of the challenges ahead of yachting clubs, authorities and the marine industry is how to get older people into sailing for the first time, and get their level of confidence and competence to the point where they can enjoy the sport, without having to have learnt the basics from our parents or friends - as most of did when we were still in school. While the one thing that can never be taught is common sense, and a piece of paper is no substitute for experience, we do need to find new ways of getting new sailors up to speed. And, having a tutor in your own boat is probably as good a way as any.

The spread of production boats like the Bavaria range throughout the world has also made it a lot easier for people like Maarten to fly to a destination and enjoy a sailing holiday in a boat just like the one they have at home, and with which they are familiar with the layout and controls. This must give a level of confidence and which was not previously possible, and make for a much more enjoyable holiday!

Have a great weekend!

Good sailing!

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor