Briefings – 15 September 2010

In this issue:

• High Performance & International
• Local Sailing
• Youth Sailing
• Admin, Safety & Training
• Of Interest
• What's on 
• Contact the Briefings Editor

High Performance and International

Olympic Programme – Key Dates for Sailors

Pinnacle events for the Olympic Programme and the NZL Sailing Team for the 2010 season have come to an end.

The target for 2010 was to consistently perform at the top ten level at World Cup Events and the World Championships. New Zealand hit this mark 32 times, with nine medals, two of which were at World Championships. Next year the aim is to convert these top ten results into podium finishes in readiness for medals in 2012.

We are now into the period of de-briefing and planning through to the end of 2011 including the 2011 ISAF World Championships in Perth.

All Olympic campaigners are required to submit their campaign plan for the up-coming year before 1 November 2010, so you should act now and talk to your coaches and performance planners to ensure you get things underway on target to have the completed plan to Yachting New Zealand before deadline.

This will enable Yachting New Zealand to review individual plans before they are submitted to SPARC. PM Scholarships, carding and Olympic Squads will all be subject to submitted campaign plans. 

Important dates

• First week Oct, 2010 (4th – 8th) Fitness Testing
  All carded sailors please contact Andy Barnett at Millennium Institute asap email andyb@nzasni.org.nz to organise a time for your fitness testing
• Nov 1, 2010 – Plans must be submitted to YNZ for review by this date
  Please email your campaign plan to reception@yachtingnz.org.nz
• Dec 1, 2010 – YNZ endorsed sailor campaign plans must be submitted to SPARC by YNZ

Murdoch steps up to take Bronze at Laser Worlds

Andrew Murdoch stepped onto the podium for the bronze medal at the 2010 Laser World Championship, which was sailed recently at Hayling Island, Great Britain.

Image by Paul Wyeth

This is the third Olympic class Laser World Championship medal for the 27 year old from Kerikeri Cruising Club, after a bronze in 2005 in Brazil, and silver in 2007 in Portugal. It was a gruelling week for Murdoch and his team mates who sailed a total of 14 races over six days after the Hayling Bay venue produced conditions which allowed organisers to complete the full schedule.

Australia’s Tom Slingsby won the 2010 World title after romping away to open up an enormous lead on his rivals through the course of the regatta. Come the dawn of the final day of racing the Australian still had to stay out of trouble, but managed it with ease to win by 36 points over Nick Thompson of Great Britain.

“It’s good to have it over with – it’s been a pretty long regatta! I’ve had a bronze and silver before – I took last year off from racing so it’s kind of good to come back to racing and come away with a bronze medal,” says Murdoch. “My feel is still coming back to me a little bit [after the break]. I was giving Tommy a hard time on the way in and said he won’t have it as easy next time!”

“The next major event I guess is the Worlds down in Perth in over a year’s time and the main goal is Weymouth 2012 in two year so it’s a great start to this campaign. We’ve got a mix of old and new guys in the squad and certainly the younger guys are stepping up and turning out some results, so it’s good having a good team behind me pushing me.”

After plenty of ups and downs it was Murdoch, (who represented New Zealand and finished fifth at the 2008 Olympic Games) that came through as the best of the kiwi team, though all had moments of brilliance. Murdoch held his nerve on the final day placing 8th in the opening race then winning the final race of the series to march up the board from fifth and claim the bronze.

20 year old Josh Junior from the NZL Sailing Team produced his best ever Laser Worlds finish. The young up and comer who represents Wellington’s Worser Bay Boating Club, placed sixth overall improving on his 11th place in 2009 in Nova Scotia, Canada.

On the final day Mike Bullot and Andy Maloney slipped out of the top ten to finish in 14th and 16th respectively, a career best for the young Maloney.

Four top fifteen finishers indicates New Zealand has terrific strength and depth in the Laser camp right now which bodes well for the 2012 Olympic Games. All seven sailors from New Zealand finished inside the top third of the 159-strong fleet providing valuable world class gold fleet experience.

2010 Laser World Championships, 30th August – 5th September
New Zealand’s final results (Total feet: 159)
3rd Andrew Murdoch
6th Josh Junior
14th Mike Bullot
16th Andy Maloney
26th Sam Meech
41st Max Andrews
50th James Sandall

Kiwis bring the South Pacific Cup to New Zealand

New Zealand took a much-enjoyed victory over the Aussies on home territory in the South Pacific Cup challenge as part of the 2010 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week during August.

New Zealand yachts Georgia, racing in IRC Grand Prix Division and Wired, racing in Performance Division One formed the New Zealand team to go up against two selected Australian yachts who were looking to defend the South Pacific Cup secured last year by the home team.

Jim Farmer’s new TP52 Georgia, winner of the New Zealand IRC National Championships for 2010 was up against Australia’s top TP52 Shogun.

Race Week offered nine races over seven days in the IRC Grand Prix Division. Consistency was the name of the game for Georgia, helmed by Jim Farmer and Chris Meads, with tactical support from America’s Cup veteran Chris Dickson.

In the 16 boat fleet, Georgia never finished lower than sixth, also clocking up a win and two other podium finishes in the week-long racing event. They placed second in the hard fought IRC Grand Prix Division.

“We had very good team work with very few mistakes,” says owner Jim Farmer. “This week the boat proved it is a very good all-round performer in all winds.”

Georgia’s adversary in the South Pacific Cup, Shogun, was ahead in only two races out of nine.

Rob Bassett and Brett Russell’s Wired, a Bakewell White 52 sailed off against Volvo Ocean 60, Nikon Spirit of the Maid in Performance Racing Division One in the trans-Tasman battle.

Wired blasted into 1st place in race one – no better way to set the standard. Another 1st on race day six with variable placings in the balance of races - on the high side most of the time.  Nikon Spirit of the Maid (SPC adversary) was ahead of Wired in only two of the seven races. 

Wired certainly displayed her skills with a good share of Line Honours.  Her handicap was a cross to bear, but she still came up trumps with her series placing.

A podium finish for both:  Georgia with a second in her division - Wired coming in third in her division.  But the grand finale was the presentation of the South Pacific Cup – a satisfying win. New Zealand 20 points, Australia 28 *scoring based on one point for a WIN – two points for a LOSS.

There’s plenty of time for New Zealand to work on another top team to bring the cup back again to Kiwiland in 2012. You can bet the Aussies will have something special in mind to make it extra tough.

Georgia travels south to Sydney where it will take part in the Rolex Big Boat Regatta in December, and may decide to compete at Geelong Race Week in January, while Wired arrived back in New Zealand over the weekend.

This report from Lesley Haslar and Zoe Hawkins (as amended by YNZ)

BlackMatch take another Tour Event Win

This week BlackMatch Racing claimed their fifth WMRT win clinching the 2010 Danish Open beating Aussie, Torvar Mirsky 3-2 in the final. With just two events remaining on the 2010 circuit Minoprio and his crew are second in this season’s overall standings needing to make up a 17 point gap over current leader Mathieu Richard in order to defend their 2009 title. 

BlackMatch report on the win in Denmark... 

“We managed to get the single win needed against Francesco Bruni to take out the semi final three - nil, before going on to win a gruelling Final against a rampant Torvar Mirsky 3-2, to become the 2010 Danish Open Champions. Torvar and his Western Australian team had earlier sailed an amazing semi final to win three races in a row and take out a miraculous comeback victory over Mathieu Richard, so we knew it would be a tough final.

“At two wins apiece the final race was a cliffhanger and after trailing for most of the finale, we made our move half way up the second beat to cross mere metres in front of Mirsky and sail away from then on to take the victory.

“After four terrible regattas in the DK37's we thought that we were doing something very, very wrong, so it was great to break the curse and nail a win here in Bornholm. Not only was it great to get our 5th World Match Racing Tour win but it also has helped us out immensely on the overall 2010 World Tour standings.

“We now trail 2010's 'bolter' Mathieu Richard by 17 points, while a good result in our next regatta in Bermuda will put us right back on his tail going into the final event in Malaysia. Our win here has also helped us to maintain our ISAF World Number 1 Ranking.

BlackMatch Racing this week is Adam Minoprio, Dan McLean, Tom Powrie, David Swete, Nick Blackman and local boy Jonas Frank Hviid-Nielsen.

NZL Women finish second at Buddy Melges Challenge

Samantha Osborne, Raynor Smeal and Susannah Pyatt have placed second at the 2010 Buddy Melges Challenge, Lake Michigan, USA among a fleet of top international sailors.

The Women’s Match Racing event, sailed in the Olympic class Elliott 6 metre yachts, has just finished at Lake Michigan after four days of racing. The NZL Sailing Team crew came in ahead of big name sailors including Anna Tunnicliffe (USA), Katie Spithill (AUS) and Sally Barkow (USA).

The kiwis came up against Australia’s Nicky Souter in the final after steaming through the initial three days of racing to qualify top of the quarter finals.

Here's their summary of the final...

"True to its reputation, the "NZL v Aussie" battle was full of action with neither team wanting to be beaten by their opponents from over the ditch."
 
Match 1, Australia got the better of the NZL team holding them over the line at the start, which created a decent lead that could never be challenged.

Match 2 went to the kiwis after they got the favoured end of the start, held their gain on the beat, to have a small advantage at the top mark, this didn't last long as AUS snuck past on the 1st downwind. However the girls stayed in touch and managed to be the first over the finish line after a very intense final run.

Match 3 went to Australia after NZ gave them the last shift before the final top mark, this gave them a two boat length lead which they held to the finish.

Match 4 was a must win for NZ to stay in the competition. AUS got the better of NZ in the start. After the first beat AUS had a lead that looked untouchable. However they gave NZ a split on the 2nd beat allowing NZ to take back some distance but not enough to get in touch.

This well attended regatta is a lead-up event to the 2010 Women’s Match-Racing World Championships which are on in Newport, Rhode Island between September 20th and 25th. At Lake Michigan the women have been in the three-handed Elliott 6 metre (the 2012 Olympic equipment), while later this month the World title will be decided in the Sonar, requiring one extra crew.

Fellow sailor Jenna Hansen has been coach to the crew in Lake Michigan, and will step into the boat to complete the four person complement required for the Sonar at the World Championships in Newport later this month.

RS:X Worlds - Ashley finishes 6th, Tobin 8th

A World Championship medal in 2010 eluded both Tom Ashley and Jon-Paul Tobin finishing sixth and eighth respectively at theRS:X Men’s World Championships which concluded in Kerteminde, Denmark on September 4th.

Image by: Kasper Bejerholm - kasper@123-webdesign.dk

While both of the kiwis sailed brilliantly at times over the course of the six day regatta, in the end it was Poland that came to the fore with a gold - silver finish for team mates Poitr Myzska and Przemslaw Miarczynski. Israel’s Nimrod Mashiah took out the bronze medal.

Tom Ashley, who has returned to competition this year after a year-long break, was disappointed when things simply didn’t go his way in the quick fire medal race.

“Actually had a pretty disastrous race,” he reflects. “It was very shifty and gusty, and I spent most of the race between 1st and 4th although the lead changed many times.”

“Unfortunately the water was full of seaweed, and I hooked a huge piece of weed on my fin near the beginning of the last downwind which I couldn't remove. I ended up falling from 4th to 9th by the time the race finished. I finished 6th overall.”

Despite missing out on the podium, it is encouraging that the medal race featured two kiwi sailors and from here they and the coaching team, will take the lessons and apply them to the ultimate goal of Olympic medals in Weymouth.

“Pretty disappointing after being in with a shot at a medal during the final race,” continues Ashley. “However, I learned a lot during the competition and I still feel that this result is ok after taking a year off. Overall it seems like I'm on track for 2012, which is the real target.”

Jon-Paul Tobin was eighth overall after placing 8th in last night’s medal race. The 33 year old Takapuna Boating Club sailor appears to be in career topping form this year, and he adds this result to a list of top ten placings this year.

2010 RS:X World Championships, 29th August – 4th September
New Zealand’s final results

Men’s Championship (111 sailors)
6th Tom Ashley
8th Jon-Paul Tobin
78th (22nd in silver fleet) Antonio Cozzolino

Women’s Championship (66 sailors)
34th (1st in silver fleet) Kate Ellingham
36th (3rd in silver fleet) Stefanie Williams
41st (8th in silver fleet) Natalia Kosinska
49th (16th in silver fleet) Alice Monk

2010 Finn Gold Cup

Often the only New Zealand entry at the international Finn class regattas, Dan Slater was joined by five other kiwis for this year’s Finn Gold Cup staged in San Francisco between August 30th and September 4th.

Image by Robert Deaves

For Slater the opening days of the series didn’t go as well as he would have liked and he was sitting deep in the fleet, but he managed to turn things around and climbed up to finish in 15th place in the total fleet of 87.

Reporting as the regatta drew to a close Slater says: “I have been mixing in the top ten when the current  has not had such an effect on the course and we have been able to play either  side of the upwind legs. But the one way track racing has been a long slog.”

“Ed Wright (GBR) and Rafa (ESP) along with Giles Scott (GBR) really  have had a click of pace on everyone this week and the limited options with what side of the course you can go has really made it hard to beat them. Our beats have been up to 1.8 miles long and in days like today were the breeze was in the 18-25 knot range the races are really tough.”

“I have been really disappointed with my performance here especially at the start of the regatta. It’s been a long regatta and I’m now looking forward to getting home.”

2010 Finn Gold Cup, San Francisco, USA, 30th August – 4th September.
New Zealand’s final results (Total fleet: 87)
15th Dan Slater
32nd Nik Burfoot
35th Matt Coutts
69th Bradley Douglas
74th Rob Coutts
75th Ray Hall

Lane and Loxton gain international experience

119 international sailors were at Hayling Island, Great Britain for the Junior (Under 21) Laser World Championships including two young New Zealanders – George Lane and Spencer Loxton. The regatta was staged in conjunction with the Senior Olympic class regatta and finished up on September 5th.

For these young kiwis the goal was to gain experience in an international fleet in the full rig Laser as they transition from the Radial rig.

George Lane finished 19th overall and was the sixth best of the sailors under 19 years of age. Spencer Loxton finished 12th in the silver fleet and 72nd overall.

Laser Masters at Hayling Island

Laser Masters sailing continues to enjoy a huge following and at the Laser Masters World Championships underway now in Hayling Island, Great Britain a remarkably large contingent of kiwis – 16 in total - are on the start line.

Racing is from the 13th to the 19th September with one rest day scheduled. Here are the current standings of the New Zealanders competing...

Radial Apprentice
1st Scott Leith
5th Edmund Tam
Radial Master
4th Hamish Atkinson
9th Michael Knowsley
55th Marcus Frith
Radial Grand Master
5th Bruce Jones
Radial Great Grand Master
1st David Schmidt
6th Jim Quinn
10th Sandy Grigg
39th Tom Speed
Standard Apprentice
12th Andrew Dellabarca
22nd Michael Pasco
Standard Grand Master
19th Robert Blakey
30th Ian Wallace
Standard Master
23rd Nick Page
31st Luuk Van Basten Batenburg

See the event website for all the details... 

Int'l Europe Class Global Veteran Cup

Local Sailing

Worser Bay Boating Club take out Interclub Regatta finals

NZCT Regional Support Officer for the Lower North Island, Wayne Holdt reports on the Interclub Regatta...

Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club hosted the central region clubs last weekend to compete in the second round of the regional interclub regatta. Napier, Taupo, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Manawatu and Horowhenua supplied teams of six sailors in the open MRX keelboat and a youth team of four sailors in the Elliot 6.

As with the Wellington clubs round last month, the racing was extremely close as two round robins were sailed in front of the city in beautiful Wellington weather. Napier Sailing Club finished at the top of the points table after the round robin on 42pts. After a tie break where both teams finished on 39pts, Horowhenua Sailing Club edged out Taupo Yacht Club, closely followed by New Plymouth Yacht Club on 39.5pts, Wanganui Sailing Club with 46pts and Manawatu Marine Boating Club on 50.5pts.

Sunday’s weather forecast was not good for the top two teams from the Wellington round (RPNYC blue and Worser Bay Boating Club) to race for the overall championship against Napier and Horowhenua. Race Officer Ken Burt decided to try and get racing away early in the day before the forecast gale built.

The first race was underway by 10.00 am in 20-25 knots. Worser Bay cleared out in both fleets until their youth team parked on the top mark giving the others the chance of gaining lost ground. With some frantic manoeuvring in the increasing breeze they managed to unhook themselves do their penalty and give the Worser Bay team the win, second was Napier and third equal Horowhenua and RPNYC Blue. As the wind had increased to over 30 knots racing was then called off and results stood as of the one race.

All in all a great weekend's racing was had by all and we look forward to next year’s series.

Stack Interiors to sponsor Winter Champs at Murrays Bay

Run by Murrays Bay Yacht Club in Auckland’s North Shore, the Stack Interiors Winter champs starts on Friday 1 October, and is an icebreaker that features three days of racing for junior and youth classes, and two days of racing for senior classes – a total of 17 classes all up, and an estimated 250 boats on the startline.

"Stack Interiors are supporting this event because we see it as a great opportunity for young sailors to experience sailing in big fleets, rubbing shoulders with some of the 'elite' of New Zealand sailing,” says David Gunn of Stack Interiors. If we can support the young people coming through it provides a great base for New Zealand sailing and provides valuable life skills for the kids involved"

Racing will be preceded by two days of intensive coaching with more than 20 top sailors.

Those attending include the traditional junior classes such as Optimists, Starlings and P-Class, as well as modern classes such as Lasers, RXS and Techno Boards, racing in the waters between Murrays Bay and Rangitoto.

Vodafone are providing a ticket for a lucky winner to sail on the massive record-breaking catamaran TeamVodafoneSailing, and other supporters of the event include principal sponsor and business interior design specialists Stack Interiors, the Auckland Yachting and Boating Association, Yachting New Zealand and Harken.

Coaching will take place on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 September, with racing starting on Friday 1 September for Juniors, and Saturday 2 September for Youth and Seniors.

Looking for a National’s venue... how about Maraetai?

Maraetai Sailing Club is keen to host a National Champs 2010, 2011, 2012 and beyond. 

“We think we have one of Auckland's best kept secrets, fantastic beach, club facilities, venue, sailing waters and people,” says Commodore, Steve Tennent.  

“The Maraetai Sailing Club is not a big club in membership numbers but the Maraetai Beach Boating Club, of which we are all members, has a membership in excess of 1100. We also have a close relationship with the Pine Harbour Cruising Club just around the corner.”

“In early March 2010 we held the Finn Nationals along with the J14s. All the feedback we have had from that week has been very positive.”

For any Class Association looking for a venue for up-coming National Championships, the Maraetai Sailing Club is keen to hear from you.

Contact Commodore Steve Tennent on mobile 021 982 525 or at home (09) 274 7989 or email to steve.tennent@xtra.co.nz 

Sailability Auckland Open Day

Sailability Auckland provides opportunities for children, youth and adults with disabilities to learn to sail, or just to experience being in control of a sailing boat. An Open Day this Saturday at Westhaven Marina offers the opportunity for anyone interested to try out a Sailability yacht.

Sailability Auckland Open Day
Date: Saturday 18 September  
Time: 12.30 – 4.30pm 
Venue: Westhaven Marina, Auckland – from the Floating Pontoon alongside YNZ and NZ Marine
RSVP: 16 September, email Tim sailabilityauckland@xtra.co.nz or phone 09 834 0557

All equipment will be supplied, just bring a warm jacket and some sunscreen if it’s fine.  If you need to be lifted into a boat we have a hoist and slings available, feel free to bring your own sling if you prefer.  If you would like more information please contact Tim (Details above)

More about Sailability Auckland...
At Sailability Auckland we have a sailing programme suitable for everyone regardless of the level of disability or sailing skills.  All Sailability Auckland instructors are Yachting New Zealand accredited.  Our yachts have many safety features including a weighted centre board ensuring the boats are virtually impossible to capsize

Holiday Sailing Programme
We will be running a 4 day Holiday programme from 27 – 30 September.
Spaces are limited to the first 8 so make sure you book early.
Cost is $75 per person for all 4 days.

Learn to Sail Course
Our first learn to sail course will run from 16 October – 27 November.
Spaces are limited to the first 8 so make sure you book early.

Cost is $70 per person which includes a learn to sail booklet.For more information please contact Tim sailabilityauckland@xtra.co.nz or phone 09 834 0557

H28 Yacht Owners Association Open Day

What: H28 Yacht Owners Association Open Day
When: October 10th.  10am - 3pm
Where: Viaduct Harbour Berth 21 (in front of O'Hagan's bar)
AND: Free sausage sizzle

The H28 Yacht is a one class yacht, an affordable and safe boat for both family (sleeping up to six) and solo sailor.  The H28 Yacht Owners Association has an active membership throughout New Zealand. 

“It is a Herreshoff design and was built in New Zealand by Compass Yachts from the mid 1970's to mid 1980's.  We understand that Chris Bouzaid and John Lidguard were involved with design changes,” says Carol Morrow of the Class Association.

“About 300 yachts were built and many can still be seen sailing around our beautiful harbour, either cruising or racing.

“Although the yacht is solid and built for cruising comfort and not speed, you will find on most weekends a number of our members competing in various races.  We join with the Classic Yachts for their racing weekend, as well as the Auckland Anniversary Weekend race from Mahurangi to Auckland.

“Our social events are held frequently both on the water and off.  There is keen competition for the Trophies which are given at prize-giving each year for various events.

“The Open Day is held annually to profile the H28 to Aucklanders and to speak with people who may be interested in pursuing a great way of relaxing, socializing, competing and enjoying our wonderful harbour.

“Some boats will be open to the public to board for viewing and any questions can be answered by our friendly boat owners,” says Carol Morrow.  “Also on display will be H28's that are For Sale."

Visit www.H28.org.nz for more or  contact Nick Hoyles  09 535 1127  or 021 118 1559

Like mucking around with boats? French Bay Yacht Club is recruiting!

O-Day at French Bay
What: Free Orientation Day at French Bay
When: 11.30am Sunday 10 October
Where: French Bay Yacht Club, at the end of Otitori Bay Road, Titirangi
What: Learn about how you can get involved with FBYC, what gear you’ll need, and how to buy or borrow a boat, and sign up on the day for discounted club memberships. If you feel like getting out on the water, bring your own boat (including kayaks, canoes and rowboats) or try one of our club sailboats or kayaks  

If you can’t make O-Day, drop in one hour prior to race starts on club race days advertised at www.frenchbay.org.nz 

It was founded in 1956 and for decades was a central meeting point for the French Bay community. Now a group of hard working volunteers and keen sailors are seeing the iconic French Bay Yacht Club enter a renaissance period.

French Bay Yacht Club occupies one of the most picturesque beaches in Auckland and offers a unique experience for sailors and boaties: one of relaxed, social dinghy sailing.

“French Bay is all about getting out on the water and having fun,” says Commodore Martin Northcott.

“But sailing suffers from the misconception that it’s a rich person’s sport. We want to change that.”

Northcott says that budget need not stop you from getting out sailing – firstly, some club boats are available to hire, at a very reasonable rate. (plus annual club membership of $171 per family).

Secondly, there are many affordable second hand boats available to purchase which means that for between $500 and $1,500 you can be out there on your own boat.  

“We encourage you just to come down and find out what it’s all about.”

French Bay Yacht Club offers a popular Learn to Sail program for children, and club members are friendly and happy to provide anybody with advice about getting into the sport.

The club is also looking for volunteers to help with aspects of running sailing days both onshore and out on the water.

While French Bay Yacht Club is home to members of the Optimist, Zephyr and Jollyboat fleets, it invites all types of sailing boats to participate in racing and adventure picnics.

Visit www.frenchbay.org.nz, come to the Orientation Day for more information or visit the club on an advertised race day. 

Youth Sailing

Registrations open for National Youth Clinics 2010

Registrations are invited for the first National Youth Clinic for 2010 planned for the 5th, 6th and 7th of October – one day after Winter Champs.
This National Youth Clinic, to be held at Murrays Bay Sailing Club on Auckland’s North Shore, offers coaching in the 420, Laser Radial and RS:X 8.5 classes.

“This will be three days of intense coaching aimed at preparing sailors for the up-coming season’s National Championships, Youth Trials and more,” says Youth Head Coach Ian Neely.
 
Registration is open to any sailor in the 420, Laser Radial or RS:X 8.5 classes who has competed in the 2010 Winter Championships  preceding the Clinic, in the same class that they wish to attend the Clinic in.  The cost is a mere $10 per person with the money going back to the host Club.

Sailors wishing to attend MUST complete a pre-registration form to allow for planning of sufficient coaches. All information and the registration forms are available on www.yachtingnz.org.nz under Sailors>Youth Sailing>YNZ Clinics. Go straight there now by clicking here.

Seeking host for 2012 P & Starlings

Yachting New Zealand is seeking expressions of interest from clubs in the Auckland region to run the 2012 P and Starling National Championships.
 
Interested parties should send an Expression of Interest to the Junior Classes Committee by September 30th 2010 care of reception@yachtingnz.org.nz

For more information please contact NZCT Regional Support Officer Kim Admore on kim@yachtingnz.org.nz

Techno Kendall Cup

The Techno Kendall Cup Regattas for 2010-11 season, the scoring system to be used, and the reporting of results, have been decided and announced by the NZ Techno Class Association Committee.

The seven Kendall Cup regattas are:
Winter Champs - Murrays Bay - 1-3 October
North Shore Champs - Takapuna - 13-14 November
Sir Peter Blake Memorial - Torbay  - 4-5 December
Junior Sail Auckland - Kohimarama - 12-13 February
Auckland Centreboard Champs - Howick - 5-6 March
RS:X/Techno North Islands - Tauranga - 12-13 March
Supercity Youth Regatta  - Torbay - 16-18 April

Put them on your kitchen calendars or in your iPods or whatever right now!  The first one is less than a month away!

Scoring - here’s how it will work:

1. You will be scored in all regattas in the age division you will be in for 2011.  If you are under 15 on 31 Dec 2011 you will be in the under 15 division.  If you are under 17 on 31 Dec 2011 you will be in the under 17 division.  If you are 17 or over on 31 Dec 2011 you will be in the open division. Please note under 15 can use 6.8 or 5.8 sails.  Under 17 can use 7.8 or 6.8.  The special age division rules for the Kendall cup will not affect the normal Techno age division rules for the individual regattas
2. First place overall for each regatta in each age and sex division gets 1 point, second place 2 points etc.
3. You must at least start one race to get a place at a regatta (ie you can’t just enter and not turn up!)
4. All regattas count equally, regardless of how many races are completed in each regatta.
5. If you miss a regatta you will score five more points than the last place in your division (eg if six sailors enter and race a regatta in your division and you don’t, you will score 11 points)
6. At the end of the season, your worst regatta will be discarded (in other words you can afford to miss one regatta if you sail well enough at the others, but if you miss two it will cost you dearly!)
7. The sailor with the fewest points in each division at the end of the season will be the winner!
8. As well as the under 15 and under 17 boys and girls divisions, there will be an open age girls division.
   
   As this is our first year running the Kendall Cup, we should expect this to be a learning experience, and we reserve the right to change these rules during the season if we consider that something is not working or can be improved.  Any changes will be advised promptly.
   
   Results – we intend to calculate the results of the Kendall Cup as soon as possible after each included regatta and report these online and via email.  At the final regatta of the season (Supercity in Torbay) we intend to calculate the final Kendall Cup results immediately after the regatta results are known, and hold a prizegiving immediately after the regatta prizegiving.  We are hoping that Bruce or Barbara Kendall will be there to present the trophies.
   
   So there you have it – our master plan for getting lots of young sailors out on the water as much as possible, having as much fun as possible, and keeping New Zealand on top of the windsurfing world!  So grab this opportunity and run with it, and we’ll see you on the water!
   
   Happy Sailing!
   NZ Techno Class Association Committee
   

Admin, Safety and Training

Introducing candidates for Board Position

Nominations are in for positions up for re-election on the Yachting New Zealand Board in 2010 to be determined by vote at the up-coming AGM.
Yachting New Zealand Board Director – One position available, three nominations received...

Mike Coupe – Plimmerton Yacht Club

Mike Coupe of Wellington has a commercial career in Public Relations, Media and Communications and has operated his own businesses within these disciplines for over 30 years with offices in New Zealand and Australia. Mike has travelled extensively on assignments for newspapers and magazines and has advised major international companies, specializing in the primary industry sector on PR and Communications.  Now semi-retired Mike still actively consults for a small group of clients as well as working as a marine broker for Vinings Shipbrokers in Wellington.

Mike has served on the Committees of various Yacht Clubs and Class Associations, is a past Commodore of Evans Bay Yacht & Motorboat Club, past President of Wellington Yachting Association and a former YNZ Councilor. He is a qualified Judge and Race Officer.

Mike’s sailing experience spans 50 years starting in P Class, through to small keelers and includes highlights in One Tonne, Half Tonne and Aquarius 22 events. He currently races and cruises a Davidson 31 keeler and is a member of the Plimmerton Boating Club.

Elected to the YNZ Board in 2007 Mike’s special interests and experience are in the areas of Public Relations and communications.

Craig Smith – Bluff Yacht Club

Craig is an Invercargill lawyer who specialises in employment law and dispute resolution.  He is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, having previously worked for chartered accountancy firms and also in industry.  He has board of trustee experience on Invercargill primary and high schools, is a member of a business advisory group to the Southern Institute of Technology, a trustee of the Southland Medical Trust, the Invercargill Rotary Charitable Trust and is a past president of the Invercargill Rotary Club.

He understands the role of governance and has strength in this area.

In terms of sailing he describes himself as an enthusiastic grass roots sailor, is Rear Commodore of the Bluff Yacht Club, races a Farr 7500 Trailer Yacht with his wife and has three children who race dinghies.  He instructs learn to sail classes and is a representative on the Southland Yachting Association.

His passion and interest in sailing is unquestionable.  He offers himself as somebody who has a commitment to the sport, and who would bring legal and financial business expertise, objectivity and freshness to a governance role within Yachting New Zealand.

Peter Vause – Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club

Peter is a Director and Shareholder of RDT Pacific Ltd a Project and Cost Management Consultancy.  Thirty years of project management practice has given Peter a sound knowledge of ethical, legal, financial and economic issues in the construction and property industry.  Peter’s skills are in establishing and managing teams, helping them to achieve excellent solutions, to carefully analysed and clearly defined project requirements.

Peter has significant experience in Governance roles including Director of RDT Pacific Ltd, Chair of Board of Govenors Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Director of Wellington Spirit Ltd, Trustee of Port Nicholson Yachting Trust and a Member of IRC Owners Association.

Peter has been involved in New Zealand yachting for 45 years, as an active sailor and club member.  He progressed through P Class, Starlings, Laser, Phase 2 Flying Fifteen to Keelboats. 

He has been actively involved in administration, management and governance roles within the sport, and has an active participation record which features nine different Yacht Clubs.  Peter is widely respected for his sound judgment and integrity
 
Areas of particular interest to Peter include Keelboat Racing, IRC & PHRF Handicaps, Classic Yachts, Increased participation and community engagement with Yachting, Yachting talent and skills development.

AGM Details

The 56th Annual General Meeting of Yachting New Zealand will be held on Saturday 2nd October at 1:30pm in Auckland. Venue: Yachting New Zealand, 85 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland.

For more information visit the YNZ website AGM page or email Beth Orton reception@yachtingnz.org.nz

Chief Executive Officer Yachting New Zealand

A National Leadership Role

The Board of Yachting New Zealand is to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer to be the face of the New Zealand yachting community. While there is a strong emphasis on national participation, development and high performance, the organisation also provides the primary voice in the maritime recreational sector.

Working with a small and effective management team the task demands a thoroughly competent and experienced executive who has the full range of Chief Executive skills, is a strong communicator and has the capability to deal with every aspect of a diverse community acting as both advocate and focal point.

Yachting New Zealand is in an excellent position in terms of finance, strategy, organisational capability and international competitiveness. This role requires someone who can enhance that position, leading it to a new level of involvement and recognition. Key outcomes include delivering high performance results at international regattas (including the Olympics) and managing widespread stakeholder relationships for the growth and development of the sport, delivering innovation and funding for future programmes.

Candidates will display a significant and successful record in a corporate or sports organisation and must demonstrate empathy for the maritime environment.

If you have the skills and experience to make a significant contribution through this role please send details of your background, experience and qualifications to the search consultants advising the Board, at John Peebles Associates  cv@jpasearch.com

GST increase

1st October 2010 will see in a rise in GST, and Yachting New Zealand advises that this will affect the cost of our goods and services.

The price of Yachting New Zealand courses, boat registrations, PHRF, ORC and IRC certification, log books, Sailing... Have a Go!, yacht safety inspections and other items and services will reflect the increase in GST which rises from 12.5% to 15% at the start of next month. 

Departing NZ shores? Don’t forget...

Maritime NZ has advised Yachting New Zealand to remind blue-water bound owners and Yacht Inspectors that the Yacht Safety Inspection (MSA/MNZ 12409 form) required for Category One is valid for one calendar month from the date of issue.

Whether racing or cruising, if you are the Skipper of a yacht departing New Zealand there is always plenty on the ‘to do’ list. But don’t forget to get in touch with a YNZ Inspector [you can use the on-line search on the YNZ website] well in advance and schedule an Inspection within one month of your planned departure date.

Departing yachts should be aware that any certificate older than one month will not be accepted by Customs.

Takapuna Boating Club – Seeks Club Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to work for a progressive yacht club, renowned for its national and international events programme, located on Takapuna Beach.

Takapuna Boating Club requires a Manager to provide leadership to grow social and corporate membership, increase venue hire, promote the club brand, create opportunities for financial growth through sponsorship and fundraising, and oversee club development to provide a growing range of activities.  This is a full-time position requiring flexible hours.

You may have a sports background, be well organised, self-motivated and be able to work without close supervision. 

The Club is looking for the successful candidate to:

• Have proven experience managing finances and staff
• Be an effective communicator
• Be able to work with staff, volunteers and members
• Demonstrate confidence to grow the club. 

A full job description is available on request. Application and enquiries should be addressed to the Commodore, Evelyn Johnson evelyn1@clear.net.nz  Applications close on 27 September, 2010

Of Interest

Earthquake strikes a day before yachting season opening

By Nigel Humphreys

The first 7.1 earthquake early on the morning of Saturday the 4th of September caused significant damage to the clubrooms and grounds of Pleasant Point Yacht Club in Christchurch and the subsequent aftershocks have continued the process.

Located on Rat Island Reserve on the banks of the Avon River, Pleasant Point sails the sheltered waters of the Avon Heathcote Estuary.

With its 90th season opening programmed for 1pm on Sunday the 5th of September, Club members were due to turn out for a final working bee on the Saturday morning, however mother nature intervened and all the Club’s plans went out the window.

After the initial shock of dealing with the quake’s effects at their own homes, several committee members made their way through the broken streets of Christchurch to the Club to be greeted by a very sorry sight.

The sealed driveway is pot marked with fissures and liquefaction eruptions, while the three concrete launching ramps are torn apart and at different levels.

Paths that once butted to the building now sit 200-300 mm away, the septic tank (the Club is not on the cities sewer system) is now protruding from the ground and the riverside retaining walls have been pushed out.

Inside the force of the earthquake is also evident.

The original 1960s built concrete block clubrooms has been added to over the years. These additions were done in three or four sections and these sections have been torn apart.

The latest addition, the 8-year-old rescue boat shed remains intact but a 150mm gap had opened up between this shed and the main clubrooms.
Inside the clubrooms, the floor between the early section and a later section has separated and dropped, while the block walls over a kitchen bench and in the men’s changing rooms have opened up.

The lower floor and the wooden mezzanine floor both have obvious slopes to the southwest.

The Club has lived on this site since 1929 and many hours of Club members labour has built the area to what it was before mother nature dealt to it on Saturday morning.

The Committee met last Tuesday to discuss the situation and work through the next steps to take. Last Wednesday the insurance assessor was on site and has confirmed the building is a right off.

The Club has a small membership, but they are loyal and resilient and plans are already underway to re-establish a new Clubhouse on the site and the Club’s representatives will soon be talking to the Christchurch City Council about the process.

Lake Rua transformed in Quake

Yachting New Zealand Commercial Maritime Member, the Canterbury Sailing School has been introducing children to sailing on Lake Rua, north east of Christchurch Airport for over ten years, but the suitability of the Lake as a venue is now in question in the wake of the Canterbury Quake.
“It was a quarry years ago that slowly filled up with water,” exoplains NZCT Regioanl Support Officer, Kate Spackman. “The land around it is fill, which as you can see from the photo, moved quite a lot in the earthquake.”

“Simon Rutherford and Geoff Wright are now looking for an alternative site to run their school sailing and learn to sail for Waimak, Christchurch and PPYC.  The children have about five lessons on the sheltered lake and then they attend Learn-to-Sail at their yacht club.”

“The lake is larger but not as deep now that the banks have dropped to the bottom of the lake.”

ETNZ comment on AC Announcement

Emirates Team New Zealand says it is working towards mounting a credible challenge for the America’s Cup in 2013.

Details of the 34th America’s Cup, including the type of yacht (a 72ft wing-mast catamaran) and a pre-regatta series in 2011 (to be raced in 45ft catamarans) were announced overnight in Valencia by the Cup defender BMW Oracle Racing.

Managing director Grant Dalton said: “A multi-hull holds no fears for us. I am sure we can meet the challenge to design, build and sail a catamaran and be ready for 2013.”

Dalton said: “Nothing announced in Valencia overnight was a complete surprise. We knew that a multi-hull was likely – with a 70ft catamaran with a wing mast the most likely option. We knew that pre-regattas would be sailed next year in smaller, one-design catamarans.

“In anticipation the team has been discussing the integration of multi-hull specialists into the existing design team. The design rule will be published in two weeks and then we will know exactly what we are dealing with.”

He said the challengers welcomed the defender’s commitment to a fair competition. “We have a copy of the protocol for the 34th America’s Cup and we will spend a lot of time today reading and re-reading it.

“The defender says it is committed also to reducing costs. From what we have heard today we don’t think they have gone anywhere far enough.
“The process to design and build from scratch an ultra high-tech boat for the America’s Cup is an expensive process and the early cash burn in design is problematic.”

As for timing, Dalton said potential challengers had been leaning towards 2014 rather than 2013 for the America’s Cup regatta. “The earlier date is an advantage in budget terms because there is one year less to fund.”

A series of three regattas to be raced in a 45ft catamaran will be held in 2011. The new America’s Cup class catamaran a well as the 45ft cats will race in 2012.

In announcing the protocol, BMW Oracle said that it aimed to make the America’s Cup a fair competition, limit team costs and make racing more accessible to the public.

Oracle promised the new boat and venues with reliable winds would minimise race delays. A shorter race format and the catamarans would be more spectator and media friendly.

Regattas will be controlled by independent race management and an international jury will be empowered to avoid show-stopping disputes.
The number of boats, sails, equipment and support boats and the introduction of “no-sail periods” are designed to bring significant cost savings for all competitors.

Reuben Corbett Interview

Reuben Corbett is one of New Zealand’s match racing rising stars at the helm of Black Sheep Racing. Anne Hinton of SailRaceWin caught up with him recently... 

AH: What made you decide to take on match racing internationally
RC: A simple passion for the sport and a desire to test ourselves against the rest of the world.

AH: Of the major events – Olympics/Volvo/America’s Cup – which do you want to do (and why)?
RC: The America’s Cup! It’s the biggest event in sailing and the ultimate test in preparing the best team with all the facets like; team personal, design, build, testing, tweaking, sponsorship and then to have years of work all on the line for a couple of weeks. Creating a winning culture, sticking to your guns and achieving the goals presents challenges on a multitude of levels and the fun is in overcoming those challenges.

Click here to read the full interview on SailRaceWin

2.4metre Sailor wins on the Snow

You probably know the name Joshua McKenzie-Brown – he’s an accomplished sailor in the paralympic 2.4metre class, and has represented New Zealand at international events. Late last month McKenzie-Brown was on winning form – but this time he was on the snow, not the water.

McKenzie-Brown was one of New Zealand’s top adaptive snow sports athletes, who took to the slopes of Coronet Peak for the Disabled Alpine National Giant Slalom and Slalom Championships at the start of the September.  

Joshua McKenzie-Brown became the Adaptive National Slalom Champion, skiing an incredibly difficult course with the aid of outriggers. Quentin Smith took out the National Title in the Giant Slalom with two speedy runs on the slope at Coronet Peak on Tuesday 31 August, competing in a mono ski.

“McKenzie-Brown showed a huge amount of guts and determination to finish the slalom runs in a field where other adaptive athletes and over half of the able bodied men's FIS competitors abandoned the course,” says Adaptive Snow Sports Manager Libby Blackley.

“Joshua, whose main sport is adaptive sailing, is developing into a good skier. He uses outriggers to assist with his skiing, as does Adam Hall, NZ Paralympic Gold medallist.”

Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week

This report from Lesley Haslar…

Wired flew the New Zealand flag alone at the 18th Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week.

Kiwi boats usually visual at Airlie were perhaps this time more noticeable by their absence.  However as usual amongst the 120 competing boats in 10 divisions there were dozens of visiting Kiwis crewing on Aussie yachts – and charters.

Living Doll was the ‘one to beat’ for Line Honors IRC Division. Wired gave her a run for her money throughout the regatta, but couldn’t match her on handicap. The entire regatta was a light weather affair with winds 5-15 knots, the ‘norm’ being 5 or 6. Ray Haslar sailing on Wired and first time to Airlie Beach, “I was impressed with the uncomplicated but efficient running of the regatta. The Queenslanders have that ‘nice easy feeling’. Yes it feels very laid back – but on the water there’s no quarter given.“

In the Sport Boat Division a little boat called ‘Ketchup’ captured the hearts of competitors and media alike. Crewed by Steven (dad) and his three sons aged nine, eleven and twelve, and one other adult, Cord, Ketchup came 13th out of 15 in the series. A joy to watch. These kids will be back.
On day two, Excapade (Cruising Class Division One) had a confrontation with Pioneer Rock; she was towed home by the safety boat, only to turn around the next day and knock’m’ dead with a win. Well done Excapade.

Grant and Iris Bartlett from the Opua Cruising CLub returned to Airlie Beach to again charter their favourite boat True Love. Coming in 7th, Grant said “we’ll be back again next year to do better”.  Peter Hall of Yachting Events and his all-kiwi crew racing on another charter Bali Hai, were very noticeable in sunny aloha shirts. As Peter says “I set up this racing package each year as an affordable way for New Zealand yachties to experience Airlie Beach Race Week - and have too much fun”.

No cups to bring home this time – maybe in 2011.

New Zealand Yachting Calendar – 2011 now available

Ocean Photography has released their 2011 Calendar featuring quality New Zealand sailing images, now available to purchase on-line.

“I’ve tried to put a bit of everything into the Calendar but essentially it is all New Zealand Sailing,” says Will Calver of Ocean Photography.

“It’s been quite a year for us starting with the Splash World Championships, quickly followed by the Classic regattas, Louis Vuitton, OK Worlds in Wellington to name but a few. 

The format of the calendar is A4 opening up into an A3 with nice easy to read dates. 

What’s on...

Here’s a line up of yachting on around the country over the next two weeks. Visit our online calendar to see what’s on, and don’t miss out on some free promotion for your next event... submit your event to our online calendar here.

See the ISAF calendar for more on what's going on around the world.

New Zealand Youth Match Racing National Championships, 25th – 28th September 2010
RPNYC
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2010 Ngaroto Trailer Yacht Regatta and Joker Class Championships, 25th – 26th September, 2010
Ngaroto Sailing Club
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The Stack 2010 New Zealand Winter Championships, 28th Sept – 3rd October, 2010
Murrays Bay Sailing Club
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2010 Interdominion Schools Team Sailing Championships, 3rd – 6th October 2010
Algies Bay, Sandspit Yacht Club
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