Briefings - 21st October 2009

In this issue:

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

Lead Story

SLAM and YNZ announce partnership

Yachting New Zealand is delighted to announce a new partnership with SLAM Advanced Technology Sportswear which will see the New Zealand Sailing Team performing to their peak and looking their best in SLAM’s high performance garments. 

Pictured: Jez Fanstone (YNZ Olympic Programme Manager), Tom Ashley (Olympic Gold Medallist), Emma Hendy (SLAM New Zealand), Leslie Egnot (YNZ Olympic Logistics Manager) and Des Brennan (YNZ Chief Executive)

SLAM is a company that is world renowned for their innovative and extensive development in technology of fabrics and designs, making them the perfect choice as Yachting New Zealand’s Official Clothing Supplier.

Yachting New Zealand is excited about the partnership which extends through until the 2012 Olympic Games. New Zealand’s elite sailors, campaigning towards the Olympic Sailing Regatta in Weymouth, England, will wear SLAM Advanced Technology Sportswear both on and off the water.

Meeting recently in Auckland were Yachting New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Des Brennan and Olympic Programme Manager, Jez Fanstone together with SLAM’s Chief Executive, Mr Andrea Laura of Italy. New Zealand Partners for SLAM sportswear Emma Hendy and George Hendy were there to make the introductions and finalise the partnership.

“The opportunities for Yachting New Zealand and SLAM are both domestic and international,” says Des Brennan. “The New Zealand Sailing Team will wear customised sportswear reflecting the highest elements of technology and fashion.”

“SLAM is a global producer of sailing gear based in Italy, a country renowned for its world-leading designers,” says Brennan. “Yachting New Zealand competes successfully on the world stage in sailing, and this partnership with SLAM will enhance brand exposure and involve our sailors as important contributors to the design process.”

“On the domestic front, Yachting New Zealand will wear the SLAM brand.  A retail line of sailing gear will be developed by SLAM bearing the ‘NZL Sailing’ brand logo. This will appropriately replicate the ‘NZL Sailing Team’ gear,” Brennan explains.

“Yachting New Zealand is delighted to be partnering with SLAM and sees a strong and mutually beneficial commercial future together.”

Also present at the meeting was 2008 Olympic Gold Medallist Tom Ashley who offered to act as a conduit between the sailing team and SLAM’s technical designers.

The NZL Sailing Team will gather together soon to view and try on SLAM’s current range of gear and over time their feedback and input will contribute towards the development of a custom uniform for the team designed to meet the specific demands of Olympic class sailing.

Emma Hendy of SLAM New Zealand is also excited about the prospect of this country’s Olympic class sailors wearing their technical and casual sportswear. “It is a huge honour for us to have been granted the opportunity to work with a prestigious organization such as Yachting New Zealand and some of New Zealand’s most elite athletes,” she says.

“The opportunities that have become available to both SLAM and Yachting New Zealand in relation to this partnership are extensive – we are very excited to get the design ball rolling and to start the process of creating the ultimate NZL Sailing Range”.

Olympic Programme Manager Jez Fanstone believes that, “the development of the technical gear from SLAM will add to the performance of our sailors. This partnership will enhance brand exposure and involve our sailors as important contributors to the design process.”

It is the vision of SLAM, that this ultimate sailing range will become available to fans of the New Zealand Olympic Sailing Team.

High Performance & International

Olympic Sailors in the gym

New Zealand’s Olympic sailors have recently undergone fitness testing at the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health benchmarking current levels in order to continue to improve and optimise their on water performance.

Photo by Andrew Palfrey: Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk training in Auckland.

Last Saturday it was the turn of Star class pairing Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk and 2008 Olympic Gold medallist, Tom Ashley. Also in the gym along with the Olympic sailing legends were brother and sister, Andy and Alex Maloney, two young Olympic aspirants who have already proven their talent with top international results.

TVNZ’s Martin Tasker caught up with them in the gym... click here to view the clip which featured on TVNZ One News last night.

On Saturday evening Olympic class sailors gathered at Takapuna Boating Club to celebrate the successes and achievements over the past year. Yachting New Zealand Olympic Programme Manager, Jez Fanstone presented sailors with an update of the Olympic Programme.

BlackMatch Update

A second place at the recent Argo Group Gold Cup event sees New Zealand’s BlackMatch retain their lead in the World Match Championship standings. Adam Minoprio and crew were beaten by Ben Ainslie and Team Origin crew in the final of the recent regatta sailed in Hamilton, Bermuda.

“The Origin boys read the shifty wind conditions perfectly and sailed a great race to take a much deserved victory,” says Tom Powrie of BlackMatch. “However looking forward, our second place sees us regain the number one spot on the World Match Racing Tour, and command a 12 point lead over our Australian rivals Mirsky Racing Team.”

“So now we are looking forward to the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia in the first week of December, where we endeavor to take the World Title.”

The Monsoon Cup is sailed in Malaysia starting 1st December 2009. Click here for more on the World Match Tour.

National Maori Sports Awards

Nominations are now open for the National Maori Sports Awards. Presentations will be made at an Award Ceremony planned for 5th December at the Telstra Events Centre, Manukau. For more information on categories and how to make nominations visit the National Maori Sports Awards website.

Sailors who have been acknowledged in the past include…

AWARDS
Junior man – Jason Herbert 1996

SCHOLARSHIPS
Jason Herbert 1996, 97, 98
Vanessa Dempsey 1997, 98
Sara Winther 1999, 01
Kiri Wong 1995

Local Sailing

Coastal Classic Update:
Forecasters give green light to record attempt

The weather gurus have spoken, and Friday’s HSBC Premier Coastal Classic race from Auckland to Russell in the Bay of Islands has a very good chance of being one for the record books.

Photo by Will Calver: 2008 Race start

The forecast from Predictwind.com could go one of two ways, both of them good.

The first option, in traditional HSBC Premier Coastal Classic style, favours a light to moderate South Westerly of 10 knots at the start, building as the boats move northward, pushing the boats faster and faster as they speed up the coast on the 119nm racetrack. By the time the bulk of the fleet turn off at Cape Brett for the final drag into the Bay of Islands, the breeze will move South-East and build, providing an idyllic night time run into the finish.

The second option is even better. South Easterly conditions are optimal for a record setting race, and South Easterly conditions are what this forecast model suggests, with the fleet beginning in 10 knots of breeze, sailing through the afternoon in the early teens, with perhaps a touch more East in it. By the time the majority of the fleet get to Cape Brett, a 20-knot South Easter will be on offer.

“The HSBC Premier Coastal Classic is shaping up to be a great race,” says David Griffiths, CEO HSBC New Zealand. “We are excited to see the presence of a major international racer as well as some of the country’s most successful sailors and yachts lining up this year. This is a prestigious event, and one that we are very pleased to be involved with.”

“The breeze is light enough for the light multihulls such as Frantic Drift and Taeping to have a very good race against the supermaxi Alfa Romeo,” says race spokesperson Jon Vincent. “All can achieve averages above that required to set a record. What this means is it will be a very closely contested and watched race.”

The HSBC Premier Coastal Classic is the biggest coastal yacht race in New Zealand, and one of the biggest in the world. It started life 28 years ago as a drag race between Auckland and Russell for just a few boats, and over the years attracted a bigger and more diverse fleet, consisting of grand prix racers, America’s Cup boats, and small family cruisers. Read more>

Admin, Safety & Training

Essentials of Sea Survival

Professor Michael Tipton from the University of Portsmouth will give an address on the Essentials of Sea Survival at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The Squadron has decided to open this up and extends an invitation for anyone interested to attend the presentation on Tuesday 24th November at 7:30pm.

“There will be no charge but we may seek donations - yet to be decided,” says Barry Davies, Racing Manager. “The Dinghy Locker Bar will be opened before and after the address.”

The address is particularly relevant, for not just our offshore sailors but all who go to sea.

This keynote speaker is entertaining and extremely informative following more than 17years of research into all aspects of sea survival, physiological changes when someone is in the water, cold shock and life jacket development. In short, how we drown and what we can do to increase our survival chances.

Professor Tipton is world renowned in this field and many will want to hear this address. Please RSVP to Jennifer at (09) 360 6800 as numbers may be restricted.

Gaming Venue Policy in Auckland City

Auckland City Council controls the quantity and the location of gaming venues around Auckland City. A draft update to their Gaming Venue Policy has recently been released and Yachting New Zealand has made a submission.

Yachting New Zealand believes the draft policy carefully retains the Council's principle to minimise the harm caused by gambling in Auckland city, including problem gambling, while acknowledging that funds re-invested by Gaming Trusts are a community benefit deserving sustained rather than diminishing support.  We believe that sports clubs and many other community organisations such as schools benefit greatly from Gaming Trust funding.

Click here for the background to the ACC policy
Click here for the submission made by YNZ

MAF Biosecurity Review of Border Operations 

Yachting New Zealand made a submission to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand on their Review of Border Operations.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) announced recently the outcome of the review of its operations at the border. Final decisions were made after a period of consultation with MAF employees, the Public Service Association and Industry. Click here for the outcome.

Of Interest

Neville England: Obituary

Neville England was presented with a Yachting New Zealand Honour Award by YNZ Chief Executive Des Brennan at the Christchurch Yacht Club on Friday 9th October.

The Award was kept under wraps, intentionally excluded from the recent Awards announcement, in order for it to be a surprise.  Over 100 of his friends gathered to celebrate the Award with him.

Pictured: Des Brennan presents Neville England his 2009 Honour Award

Neville Passed away Monday morning 19th October at Christchurch Hospital at the age of 57 years. His funeral will be held at 1.45pm Friday 23rd October at St Andrew’s Church, Rangi Ruru School, Merivale Lane, Merivale Christchurch.

Neville’s involvement and contribution to the sport of yachting over the years has been enormous, continuing with coaching and official positions through until very recently. Tributes and memories have flooded in from the yachting community around New Zealand.

Together with his brother Garry, Neville won the prestigious Junior Cherubs Nationals in 1970 and ’71 in their yacht Rana, sail number 1250. Firstly progressing into the Javelin class, of which his father Hugh was a former National Champion, Neville graduated into the Olympic 470 sailing again with brother Garry.

In 1975 Andy Knowles who placed second in the Olympic trials was without a crew for the pre Olympics in Kingston and the 470 Worlds in Rochester, New York. Neville crewed for Andy in this “no budget” overseas campaign.

Neville continued to sail with brother Garry for a few years, and then encouraged Leslie Egnot into the 470 enticing her with a spot in his brand new boat with Garry. “Without Neville giving me that opportunity I may never have sailed the 470,” says Leslie in retrospect, acknowledging that Neville was instrumental in her transition from the P Class to the 470. Neville then sailed with Jenny Egnot for a short period.

In 1980 Neville and Ian Douglas won the Fireball Nationals and the right to represent New Zealand at the Fireball Worlds in South Africa; this they didn’t due to apartheid issues at the time.

Neville was extremely proud of the sailors he mentored and coached through their early days, including those that went on to represent New Zealand such as Leslie and Jenny Egnot, Shelley Hesson and Mark Milburn.

He also taught his four children to sail, who all remain involved in the sport today. Murray represented New Zealand in the 420 and 18 footer classes, Jacqui is keelboat sailing in Auckland and Geoffrey and Paula are keen Laser sailors.

Neville was a life member of the Christchurch Yacht Club, having served on the Club Committee, and also held the position of Youth Chairman for the Canterbury Yachting Association. He was presented a Yachting New Zealand Regatta Coach certificate in September this year, and he also recently accepted a position on the Yachting New Zealand Junior Classes Committee.

At the recent gathering Neville’s wife Ruth was presented a bouquet of flowers in appreciation of her support to the many visiting sailors billetted at their McCormack Bay home over the years. Ruth is the Secretary of the Canterbury Laser Fleet Association and on the Laser Nationals organising committee.

Neville was looking forward to his eldest daughter Jacqui's wedding on the 5th November in Christchurch, watching Murray sail an 18 footer in Auckland and watching Paula at the Laser Nationals in January. He is survived by wife Ruth and his four children Jacqui, Murray and Geoffrey who live in Auckland and Paula who is attending Otago University.

“Neville has been a great supporter of yachting in Otago for many years.  When he ran coaching clinics the kids got more than 100% from them.  Even lunchtimes were spent debriefing the morning's efforts.  

"On a more personal level we have got to know Neville and Ruth and their family as good friends.    They have been very supportive over the years to our daughters, Stacey and Alayne and Alayne spent many weekend as 'another daughter' when she was sailing in her late teens.”
Sue and Vern Hall

“Please pass on Otago's appreciation for the help and support he has given us. I personally would have been still struggling without the great support and advice he has given me over the years. Many thanks from me to him.”
Greg Harrex & Otago Sailing Development

2009 Yachting Excellence Awards

The Yachting Excellence Awards for 2009 will be presented on Friday November 20th at a gala dinner ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Tickets are on sale now – click here for an order form.

Since the announcement of finalist nominees and awardees in the last issue of Briefings, further nominations have been ratified by the judging panel.

Yachting New Zealand Merit Awards
(in addition to those already announced – click here for a full list)
Tony Mutter - Ocean Racing
Dave Endean - Ocean Racing
Phil Jameson - Ocean Racing
Karl Purdie – OK Dinghy Class
Neville Crichton – Offshore and Coastal Racing

In the Honour Awards category, Neville England of Christchurch has been added to the published list. Neville’s name was intentionally omitted in the previous issue in order to surprise him with an early presentation of his certificate in Christchurch.  Read more about this in the previous story.

Any questions relating to the 2009 Yachting Excellence Awards can be directed to Emily Flynn e.flynn@xtra.co.nz or Beth Orton reception@yachtingnz.org.nz tel. (09) 361 4020

Fun and friendly sailing day to be held in Russell

A ‘Sailing…Have a Go!’ day is being held in Russell to help celebrate the finish of the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.

Those fresh off the race boats, and their supporters and families, are invited to get down to waterlevel and take part in a fun sailing session on Russell Beach, in conjunction with HSBC Premier and Yachting New Zealand’s Sailing…Have a Go!

Adults and kids will get to sail in Optimists, Topaz dinghies, or a Weta trimaran. Lifejackets will be provided.
 
The fun will start at 1pm on Saturday 24 October on the Russell beachfront and will continue as long as people are sailing, or until 4pm, weather permitting. Those planning to attend the Sailing…Have A Go! day please email marketing@hsbc.co.nz to register your interest (this will assist us with the organising of the event). A small donation to take part in the event will be requested on the day with all proceeds going to Sailing…Have A Go!

RPNYC lunch with Brad Butterworth

Brad Butterworth from Alinghi will be in Wellington on 12th November to be guest speaker at a lunch organised by Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. All proceeds from the lunch will go towards the Wellington Spirit Yacht Racing Team, a new Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club initiative providing a vehicle for Wellington sailors to take on the world.

Butterworth is skipper of the Alinghi team currently preparing to sail a 90 foot catamaran against the BMW Oracle trimaran in the 33rd edition of the America's Cup.

The lunch is being held in the Chaffers Dock Atrium, 1 Herd Street with catering by Martin Bosley's Yacht Club Restaurant. The cost of the lunch is $100 per head or $900 for a table of ten.

For instructions on how to purchase a ticket visit www.rpnyc.org.nz 

The lunch will be followed by an opportunity for young sailors form Wellington to meet Brad Butterworth. All youth and junior sailors from all Wellington Yacht Clubs are invited to come and meet Brad in the RPNYC Wardroom from 3.45pm to 4.45pm.

Ocean Photography Sailing Calendar

Ocean Photography’s 2010 Sailing calendar is out now and can be purchased on-line.

“This great collection of images is a snapshot of New Zealand sailing,” says Will Calver of Ocean Photography. “From classic yachts racing in the Bay of Islands to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series… there is sure to be something for everyone.”

The Calendars are $22.99 + p&p and are limited in number. Click here.

What’s On