Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M75

America's Cup- The Kids are all right - Opti sailors taste the AC45

by Gilles Martin-Raget on 30 Apr 2011
New Zealand Optimist team line up for the big day out on an AC45 Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing

After the Toyota National Optimist Championships concluded in Auckland, New Zealand on Easter Monday, the five sailors in the New Zealand team were invited out for a sail on Oracle racing's AC45. A good picture speaks a thousand words, but the looks on these young sailor's faces speak volumes.

Does it get any better than this when you are a kid?

We don't think so.

For the sailors' view of the day http://www.sail-world.com/NZ/Americas-Cup:-From-Opti-to-AC45---the-stuff-of-dreams/82937!click_here

New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
New Zealand national Optimist Champion, Leonard Takahashi-Fry on the handlebars of the AC45 © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


The foils are taller than me! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
The foils are taller than me! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Russell Coutts tries to beat Leonard’s numbers © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Russell Coutts tries to beat Leonard’s numbers © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Yep, these are seriously cool! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Yep, these are seriously cool! © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Russell Coutts finally gets the handles bars back © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Russell Coutts finally gets the handles bars back © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing


Taking in the moment - an unforgettable experience © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Taking in the moment - an unforgettable experience © Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing

B&G Zeus SR AUSSea Sure 2025Elvstrom Sails Australia

Related Articles

ILCA Oceania & AUS Open & Youth Championship day 5
Queensland's Mara Stransky leads the Aussie females Queensland's Mara Stransky is the leading Australian female sailor in the ILCA 6 Gold Fleet competing in the 2026 Oceania and Australian Open and Youth Championships in Hobart.
Posted today at 10:42 am GLOBE40 Leg 4 Update
Leaders cross the antimeridian Today at 06:45:31 UTC and 06:50:19 UTC, the two leaders of the GLOBE40, BELGIUM OCEAN RACING - CURIUM and CREDIT MUTUEL, crossed the antimeridian, giving the former a 4'48" advantage.
Posted today at 9:33 am 2026 Moth Australian Nationals Day 3
What was planned as a race turned into a full-blown four-hour water adventure It was one of those days on the water — the kind where the forecast shrugs its shoulders and says, "You're on your own."
Posted today at 9:08 am 62nd Australian Sabot Championships overall
Alyssa Mathieu makes history to secure the national title The 62nd Australian Sabot Championships concluded in spectacular fashion at Airlie Beach, delivering a week of high-quality racing that highlighted the depth of junior sailing talent from across Australia.
Posted today at 6:29 am 2025 World Match Racing Tour Final day 1
High drama marks opening day in Shenzhen The opening day of the 2025 World Match Racing Tour Final, running from 6-11 January in Shenzhen China, delivered high-intensity racing from the first start, with no shortage of close calls and razor-thin margins amongst the sixteen competing teams.
Posted on 6 Jan The Famous Project CIC Jules Verne Trophy Day 38
Alexia, Dee, Annemieke, Rebecca, Deborah, Molly, Támara and Stacey round Cape Horn It was 14.14 UTC on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, when The Famous Project-CIC's IDEC SPORT Maxi Trimaran, led by her highly international crew composed of Alexia, Dee, Annemieke, Rebecca, Deborah, Molly, Támara and Stacey rounded Cape Horn.
Posted on 6 Jan Video: Exclusive Benjamin Schwartz Interview
Co-skipper of Sodebo Ultim 3 on Jules Verne Trophy attempt Today we have an exclusive Q&A with Benjamin Schwartz, co-skipper of Sodebo Ultim 3 from the Pacific Ocean during their Jules Verne Trophy record attempt around the world.
Posted on 6 Jan ILCA Oceania & AUS Open & Youth Championship day 4
Wearn rules River Derwent and it's Moving Day for the ILCA 6 Women Australia's Matt Wearn has taken a commanding lead in the 2026 ILCA Oceania and Australian Open Championship in Hobart on Day Four of sailing, taking a lead of 16 points in the ILCA 7 Class, into the penultimate day of racing.
Posted on 6 Jan Australian 16ft & 13ft Skiff Championships Day 2
Fantastic Michael Chittenden and the full results Fantastic Michael Chittenden and the full results on day 2 of the 2026 Skelcon Australian 16ft & 13ft Skiff Championships at Belmont 16s Sailing Club.
Posted on 6 Jan 2026 Moth Australian Nationals Day 2
The wind clearly hadn't read the race schedule After an exciting opening day of racing, day two decided to keep everyone guessing. While the sun was shining and temperatures sat at a very agreeable 25 degrees, the wind clearly hadn't read the race schedule and failed to show up on time.
Posted on 6 Jan
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2026 Sail-World Sail-World Australia and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy