| Briefings - 11 July 2007
Contents:
- Commodores Conference Agenda
- Emirates Team New Zealand – You Have Done Us Kiwis Proud
- World Championship Silver for Murdoch
- Yet to come at the ISAF Worlds
- Youth Worlds about to get underway
- Etchell Worlds
- Winter Champs
- Popular short-handed series gets underway
- Whangarei to Vila
- Women on Water: Spirit of Adventure Weekend
- Otago Yachtsperson of the Year goes to Dragos Blaga
- Notice of AGM - SAIL AUCKLAND REGATTA INC
- 2007/2008 National Championships
- Race Management/ Judges Seminars
- Yachting NZ Coach Courses
- Instructor/Coach Courses
- Race Officers Conference
- Yachting Roles Available
Commodores Conference Agenda
Close to 80 of New Zealand’s yacht club Commodores and vice-Commodores will come together in Auckland on Saturday 4 August for the inaugural YNZ Commodores Conference.
The driving thought behind this meeting of yacht club leaders is to hear and discuss matters of concern and opportunity, and to generate ideas to enhance our sport. The agenda for the day will be built from the results of the 2007 yacht club survey, and other matters tabled by attendees. The agenda will therefore be an open one and will be facilitated by John Stuart, director of Teamworks Pacific Ltd.
Attendees will participate in several self-selected groups which will focus on the topics identified. There will be complete flexibility to move around the groups - a ‘voting with feet’ scenario. By the evening a printed report of the proceedings of the day will be available to everyone. This will outline the topics covered, the outcomes of discussion on these and any recommendations.
The report will then form a crucial part of the input for YNZ’s next strategic plan, which will take our sport forward over the next few years – to at least the end of 2012.
[ YNZ Commodores Conference ]
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Emirates Team New Zealand – You Have Done Us Kiwis Proud
There is no country which has taken so much ownership of the America’s Cup as New Zealand. There were a series of valiant but unsuccessful challenges prior to 1995, and then in 1995, in the words of PJ Montgomery, ‘the America’s Cup became New Zealand’s cup’. The television audiences and the parades up and down the country were unprecedented.
The support for the magnificent achievement of Grant Dalton and Dean Barker is evident everywhere in New Zealand. Television audiences rivaled even the All Blacks in South Africa. ETNZ restored our pride, even though it missed its main goal of ‘bringing the Cup home’. Grant inherited the disaster of the failed 2003 defense, restored discipline, a sense of national purpose, raised the cash and came frustratingly close to the ultimate prize. Who could have done more?
The New Zealand Government has already committed initial funding to secure key members of the team for another challenge – a wise commitment. In a TVNZ audience poll a few days ago a stunning 76% of viewers supported the Governments initiative.
What were the gains for New Zealand from the Emirates Team New Zealand campaign?
- Unique publicity and exposure for New Zealand across Europe and beyond, which has been targeted to benefit our tourism industry.
- A further boost for New Zealand’s exciting marine industry and related technology businesses. Our marine industry, designers, and sailors all contribute to a cluster which creates competitive advantage in this industry. Our marine industry exports more than our outstanding wine industry.
- Restoration of a good measure of Kiwi pride and a shared sense of national achievement through these sporting heroes – proud to be a Kiwi.
- And in the end the Government appears to have got its money back through GST and PAYE receipts – now that is smart money!
We at Yachting New Zealand salute Grant and the team. The competition could not have been tougher. Alinghi and its Kiwi tight five were just more flawless.
Des Brennan
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World Championship Silver for Murdoch
Andrew Murdoch has won the silver medal at the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Cascais, Portugal overnight. Murdoch was second in last night’s medal race giving him the silver medal behind Australian Tom Slingsby who won the world title.
Olympic berths are now confirmed for New Zealand in the Star, after Pepper and Williams finished 4th, the Laser and Laser Radial classes. Places in the Finn and Yngling classes look to be a sure thing also.
“I had a great race, I always believed I could do it this morning,” says Murdoch. “I went out there with a good positive attitude, and came away with the silver.”
Going into the double points, high pressure medal race, Murdoch was lying fourth, while Slingsby had a huge twelve point leading margin in the top spot.
“It’s always good to get on the podium, obviously I was hoping to win this regatta at the start of it, but it was always going to be a long shot in that race to do that, so second was probably the best I could have done today.”
The medal race course is shorter and set closer in to attract shore based spectators for an exciting finale. With only the top ten placed sailors in the race, it becomes a tactical battle to which Murdoch, with his teams-racing background, is well suited. The wind was blowing 16-20 knots.
“It’s good to have New Zealand qualified to go to the Olympics,” says Murdoch, who earned the place for the country with this result. “Although the conditions here [Portugal] are different to what they will be in Qingdao. Certainly the focus will be shifting a lot more towards the lighter side of things.”
“Earlier this year at the regattas in Palma and Hyeres, I had two podium finishes and they were both light wind regattas. I’m confident that I can perform in the conditions in China.”
Murdoch will have the opportunity to prove this at the Pre-Olympic test event which takes place in Qingdao, next years Olympic venue, one month from now. He returns to New Zealand before travelling to China.
Recent media reports on the ISAF Sailing World Championships are available under Latest Media releases on the YNZ homepage. Links to ISAF and the regatta website can also be found there.
[ Read more... ]
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Yet to come at the ISAF Worlds
The spotlight for tonight turns to Sharon Ferris, Raynor Smeal and Shandy Buckley currently lying fifth in the Yngling fleet with just the medal race to sail. Results will be up on the regatta website Thursday morning NZ time.
The RS:X board sailors will be back on the water tonight for two more qualifying races to decide who will advance to the top ten medal race. Barbara Kendall marched into 2nd place last night in the Women’s division with a 3rd and a 1st in last night’s racing. The regatta concludes for the RS:X fleets on Thursday in Portugal with results becoming available in New Zealand on Friday morning.
The 470’s are the last to wrap up with the event set to conclude on Friday in Portugal.
SKY Sport 2 has daily coverage of the event with a half hour of highlights. Here’s when to switch the tv on…
11 July
2100 - ISAF world sailing Championship day 3 Highlights, SKY Sport2
12 July
2230 - ISAF world sailing Championship day 4 Highlights, SKY Sport2
13 July
1900 ISAF world sailing Championship day 5 Highlights, SKY Sport2
14 July
1530 ISAF world sailing Championship day 6 Highlights, SKY Sport2
[ Regatta Website ]
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Youth Worlds about to get underway
The NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team is in Canada for the start of the ISAF Youth World Championships set to start this weekend. The team is made up of ten of New Zealand’s top youth sailors who are set to come up against their international counterparts.
The regatta is often referred to as the Youth equivalent of the Olympic sailing regatta and it is sailed annually at a different venue each year. The event gets underway with arrival this Thursday 12 July, and the first racing set to start this weekend. Over 220 young sailors from 50 nations will line up in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The 37th ISAF Youth Worlds looks set to be one of the closely contested ever, with the battle for medals wide open.
Profiles for the New Zealand team are on the YNZ website and can be viewed through the link below…
[ NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team ]
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Etchell Worlds
New Zealand picked up seventh place at the Etchell World Championship sailed recently in Cowes, England. The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club hosted a fleet of 45 of the three man keelboats for this World Championship event.
Kiwi boat Feng Shui was the top placed of the two kiwi entries with Jon Andrews at the helm, Anatole Masfen on main and Andrew Wills on bow. They finished in seventh place.
Golli Gosh was the second kiwi boat with Gavin Gerard helming and Alan Gwyer and Richard Bouzaid crewing. They finished in 21st place.
Andy Beadsworth, Oscar Strugstad and Simon Fry representing Great Britain took the world title.
[ Regatta Website ]
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Winter Champs
Murrays Bay Sailing Club has lots on in September, with the New Zealand Winter Championships as the highlight. Coaching clinics are also on offer and the Club invites sailors and parents to plan now for a week of action!
The New Zealand Winter Championships will be held at Murrays Bays Sailing Club on the 28, 29 and 30 September. This year the Club will run coaching clinics for all classes fronting up with six or more sailors on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25. While the coaching clinics are on the Club intends to run some workshops and open forums for all parents.
So sailors and parents are invited to come and make a week of it to set them selves up for the new season.
In conjunction with Takapuna Sailing Club, Murrays Bay will also be running the NZ Secondary School Girls Champs, starting on the afternoon of Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 September. And then there are the Laser class trials too!
Murrays Bay Sailing Club would like to get some out-of-towner’s on the water to get involved with the race management. NOR and program will soon be posted on the Murrays Bay web site, click the link below…
Or you can contact Kim Ardmore, email: admorebonney@actrix.co.nz
Telephone: (09) 412 7837 Mobile: 021 1126 7367
[ Murrays Bay Sailing Club ]
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Popular short-handed series gets underway
Cameron Thorpe is Chairman of the SSANZ (Short-Handed Sailing Association of New Zealand) who have just kicked off their popular SSANZ SIMRAD Triple Series. The series has successfully introduced a lot of sailors to the challenges and satisfaction of Two Handed Sailing.
This year Cameron gave up his usual role as a competitor and found himself thoroughly immersed in the tasks required to make an event like this tick. For him, it was a reminder that there are a huge number of people who volunteer their time to run events like this one. So remember to say thanks to the organisers and race management officials next time!
If you’re interested in becoming involved in race management Yachting New Zealand runs seminars and training courses. Information and schedules for these courses are included in this issue of Briefings and are also on the YNZ website.
Click the link for Cameron’s report from last weekend…
[ SSANZ Race Report ]
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Whangarei to Vila
Ten keelboats took part in the 2007 offshore race between Whangarei and Vanuatu. The event was organised by the Onerahi Yacht Club.
Ran Tan 2 was the first to arrive into Port Vila with an elapsed time of four days, six hours and 18 minutes. But it was Bare Essentials that came through with a win in both IRC and PHRF divisions.
[ Onerahi Yacht Club ]
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Women on Water: Spirit of Adventure Weekend
What a great way to chase away those winter blues, join the YNZ WOW team for a ladies only weekend on the Spirit of Adventure training ship. Any size, shape, age, skill level - it’s the perfect adventure weekend for novices.
Set for the weekend of 18-19 August, the cost for the whole weekend is $290 which includes the voyage, food and a sun downer. All you need to do is fill in the form, send it in to the Spirit of Adventure with a $100 deposit and that’s it!
Visit the YNZ WOW page for the registration form.
[ WOW ]
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Otago Yachtsperson of the Year goes to Dragos Blaga
Dragos Blaga has received the Carey Trophy for Otago Yachtsperson of the Year. The trophy was presented by Alva Carey.
Dragos started sailing the Optimist Class in 1983 when his local yacht club was the University Nautical Club operating in Bucharest, his home town.
Between 1986 and 1989 Dragos sailed 420s and 470s in parallel, choosing to stick with the 470 after 1990. With some brief periods of inactivity he kept sailing the boat till 2001 when he came to NZ.
Career highlights include:
- 470 Romanian National Championship title twice – also Romanian National Champion twice in the 420’s.
- Sailing in regattas in Germany (Berlin & Warnemunde), Greece (Athens), Croatia (Zadar), Bulgaria (Burgas) and many other events on the Black Sea.
Upon moving to New Zealand in 2001, he joined the local fleet sailing under the Otago Trailer Yacht Squadron colours. After sailing with Rob English on his Farr 6000 between 2003-06 Dragos and his wife Luciana acquired the Noelex 22 Rangatahi. Indifferent results initially soon changed as the boat was upgraded, modified, improved, and started to go fast.
February 2007 with great crew work and a fast boat the 2007 Noelex 22 National Championship victory in New Plymouth went to Dragos and his team.
Off the water Dragos also keeps himself busy helping with administration. Most recently he has been on the committee of Otago Trailer Yacht Squadron since 2005 – the OTYS web site being testimony to Dragos’ skills.
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Notice of AGM - SAIL AUCKLAND REGATTA INC
The Annual General Meeting of Sail Auckland Regatta Inc. will be held on Tuesday July 24th 2007 at Kohimarama Yacht Club beginning at 7.30pm.
Sail Auckland is an incorporated society formed in 1995 with the intent of providing an ISAF graded Olympic regatta in New Zealand to assist New Zealand sailors with their transition into the Olympic classes and to provide a cheap international Olympic classes regatta for New Zealand sailors.
Last year the regatta was upgraded by ISAF from its original status as a grade 2 to a grade 1 regatta. We also gained Singapore Airlines as a prime sponsor.
The regatta is indebted to Kohimarama Yacht Club and Bucklands Beach Yacht Club whose initial efforts provided the support to allow this regatta to grow. The regatta is now run by a small dedicated group comprised of many of the Auckland centerboard yacht clubs.
“We need to expand our committee base and we seek assistance from people who have an interest in helping promote Olympic class sailing,” says Chairman Alan Bilkey. “We would welcome Olympic class sailors past and present and any others who are interested in supporting and helping run this regatta.”
If you want any further information please contact Alan Bilkey at bilkey@ihug.co.nz
[ Sail Auckland Website ]
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2007/2008 National Championships
Thanks to all those Organising Authorities who have already sent in the application form to host a National Championships. Listed below are a number of classes we are still waiting to hear from.
29r
470
Farr6000
Finn
Flying Dutchman
Hobie 16
Javelin
Noelex 22
Noelex 25
P Class
Phase 2
Starling
Sunburst
Trailer Yachts
Formula Windsurfing/NZ Windsurfing
Downloads of the National Event documents and links to useful resources and information are all available on the Regatta Documents page (link below) on the website or contact sabra@yachtingnz.org.nz
[ Regatta Documents ]
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Race Management/ Judges Seminars
The Wellington Judges seminar is on the 14/15 of July at the Plimmerton Boating Club. There are still a few places available if you are interested. This seminar is free to members of clubs affiliated to the Wellington Yachting Association.
Friday the 13th of July is the last day to send your registration in for the Auckland Race Management seminar. Torbay Sailing Club is hosting this course on 28/29 July and John & Linda Parrish will facilitate.
Information and registration forms for all seminars are displayed on our website – click SEMINARS AND TRAINING under TECHNICAL. Quick link below.
[ Seminars and Training ]
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Yachting NZ Coach Courses
Yachting New Zealand will be holding coaching courses in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Wanaka over winter, with interest coming from the Waikato Thames area we may hold a course there as well.
The courses are aimed at people who are coaching sailors through to regional and national regattas. These courses will be the new YNZ Syllabus, so a must for any coach and a great chance for already qualified people to renew their qualification.
The Auckland and Wellington areas have managed to secure funding so the courses will be free. There is no better time than now to learn new skills and help your sailors. Register your interest so you don't miss out – a registration form is available on the website through the link below.
For course dates please click the link below and look under Regatta Race Coach/Performance Coach.
[ Coaching Courses ]
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Instructor/Coach Courses
There are six Club Instructor and four Coach Courses scheduled around the country.
Dates and venues are displayed on our website – click on UPCOMING COURSES under COACHES. Quick link below.
[ Upcoming Courses ]
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Race Officers Conference
The Race Officers Subcommittee of the Race Management Committee of Yachting New Zealand has for some time considered having a conference of accredited NRO and CRO officials.
All accredited NROs and CROs are invited to attend a Race Offices Conference on Saturday 22 September 2007 9:30 am to 5 pm at Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club in Wellington. The purpose of the day is to debate race management issues and promulgate best practice. Wellington has been chosen as it is central and easy to get to for everyone.
While there will be no cost for the conference itself, all other costs (travel, accommodation, lunch etc) will need to be met by the attendees. Your clubs may be prepared to provide support but that will be up to you to organise.
The day will be facilitated by John and Linda Parrish. To request a registration form contact sabra@yachtingnz.org.nz
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Yachting Roles Available
SPORTS SCIENCE SERVICES COORDINATOR
Employer: New Zealand Academy of Sport
Information: Yachting New Zealand seeks a suitable person to fill the role of Sports Science Services Coordinator. Experience in top level competition in sailing and/or technical knowledge in relevant areas of sport science services would be an advantage.
The successful applicant will be a member of an integrated support network of the Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Team’s & Squads, coaching staff & the New Zealand Academy of Sport. They will play an important part in the development & support of New Zealand’s current & future champions in the sport of sailing.
A job description and details on how to apply are available for download from the website, through the link below. Applications close 20 July 2007.
YACHTING INSTRUCTOR FOR NORTHERN REGION
Yachting New Zealand is looking to employ a qualified instructor for the Auckland/Northland Region of the Sailing…Have a Go programme.
The position will suit someone who enjoys teaching children to sail and has the energy and experience to run the entire programme with assistance from head office. The Northern Region position involves the instructor visiting schools and clubs in the Auckland and Northland areas. The contract will commence in September 2007 and continue through until the end of April 2008.
A job description is available for download from the website, through the link below.
Contact Sabra Davies for additional information or apply to Yachting New Zealand, Box 91209, AMSC, Auckland 1142. Applications close on 17 August 2007.
[ Situations Vacant ]
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