Final Results for Aircalin Auckland to Noumea Dash for Cash

by Lesley Grant on 1 Jun 2002 Tonight will see the prizegiving and farewell for the sailors competing in the 2002 Aircalin Auckland to Noumea Yacht Race.

Alongside special prizes from the race sponsors, including a trip for two to Noumea from Aircalin and accomodation from Novotel Surf Hotel, are special awards made by the New Zealand International Yachting Trust.

The New Zealand International Yachting Trust is presenting substantial financial awards to top placegetters in each division of the race.

Overall, the Trust will have awarded grants to participants in the 2002 Aircalin Auckland to Noumea Yacht Race to a total cash value of 19,100 NZD by the end of this evening.

The grants are intended to foster the development of international sailing skills and experience amongst New Zealand sailors.

This year the Trust has added a new dimension by including special awards to three of the young sailors in this race to reduce the costs involved in gaining such valuable offshore experience.

The Trustees believe that if New Zealand is to maintain its place as one of the top yachting nations inthe world, it is essential that our sailors have adequate opportunity to compete in international regattas and championships.

Racing between Auckland and Noumea is definitely a successful international regatta with the fleet nearly doubled in size this year. Six of this year's fleet are heading off on the next leg of the Tasman triangle, Noumea to Mooloolaba, on June 8th.

From there they will join the Australian events and finish up at the famed Hamilton Island Regatta.

More information on www.rayc.org.nz and www.sail-world.com/aucklandtonoumea