Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Predictwind Girls Regatta proves popular and set to expand next year

by Michael Brown/Yachting NZ 28 Mar 2021 15:41 PDT 29 March 2021
Predictwind Girls Regatta - March 2021 © Yachting New Zealand

The PredictWind Girls Champs has been a fixture on the sailing calendar for more than 30 years and its success has prompted the Kohimarama Yacht Club to look into turning it into a two-day regatta in 2022.

As many as 120 female sailors across seven junior and youth classes competed in Saturday's event and there's a feeling it would attract more sailors from further afield if it became a two-day regatta.

Sailing is rare in that both girls and boys compete against each other most of the time until they work their way up the pathway, and many females are motivated to beat the boys.

Gyanne Garner, who sails a 29er with Emma Packard, summarised what many of the young sailors felt.

"It's just girls which makes it easy to make new friends," she said. "I feel a lot more comfortable here."

Yachting New Zealand surveyed 35 competitors at the regatta, on everything from what they like about the sport, to what's missing and what they would like to know, and will use the information to continue to support young females in the sport. There will be further opportunities to fill out the survey at future regattas.

Yachting New Zealand was well represented by women's sailing manager Rosie Chapman and national sport development director Raynor Haagh as well as Erica Dawson and Liv Mackay who are Olympic campaigning and are also part of the New Zealand SailGP team. Elana Connor, who is sailing solo around the world to raise awareness of children in foster care, was also on hand.

"It was really exciting to see so many females participating," Chapman said. "The Kohimarama Yacht Club created an amazing atmosphere where the emphasis was on connection and making friends. This was a really good opportunity for people to do that.

"The level of sailing was really high. Even though the winds were really light, you could see the potential, and it's really positive to have so many females coming through who will continue to push each other and have fun along the way. Here at Yachting New Zealand we're in a position to help guide them through the pathway and make it more enjoyable for them.

"The overall feeling when everyone got off the water was a level of excitement to be able to race against just girls for a change; a level playing field."

It was a view echoed by Starling sailor Grace Still from the Glendowie Boating Cub.

"[The thing I like most about this regatta is] definitely the start and the no yelling," she said. "On a normal start like, people are yelling 'don't go in there' even though they don't own that bit of ocean. At this regatta, there's none of that and I love it."

Full results can be found The PredictWind Girls Champs has been a fixture on the sailing calendar for more than 30 years and its success has prompted the Kohimarama Yacht Club to look into turning it into a two-day regatta in 2022.

As many as 120 female sailors across seven junior and youth classes competed in Saturday's event and there's a feeling it would attract more sailors from further afield if it became a two-day regatta.

Sailing is rare in that both girls and boys compete against each other most of the time until they work their way up the pathway, and many females are motivated to beat the boys.

Gyanne Garner, who sails a 29er with Emma Packard, summarised what many of the young sailors felt.

"It's just girls which makes it easy to make new friends," she said. "I feel a lot more comfortable here."

Kohi Girls Regatta Gyanne Garner, crew, and Emma Packard were second in the 29er. Photos: Yachting New Zealand. Yachting New Zealand surveyed 35 competitors at the regatta, on everything from what they like about the sport, to what's missing and what they would like to know, and will use the information to continue to support young females in the sport. There will be further opportunities to fill out the survey at future regattas.

Yachting New Zealand was well represented by women's sailing manager Rosie Chapman and national sport development director Raynor Haagh as well as Erica Dawson and Liv Mackay who are Olympic campaigning and are also part of the New Zealand SailGP team. Elana Connor, who is sailing solo around the world to raise awareness of children in foster care, was also on hand.

"It was really exciting to see so many females participating," Chapman said. "The Kohimarama Yacht Club created an amazing atmosphere where the emphasis was on connection and making friends. This was a really good opportunity for people to do that.

"The level of sailing was really high. Even though the winds were really light, you could see the potential, and it's really positive to have so many females coming through who will continue to push each other and have fun along the way. Here at Yachting New Zealand we're in a position to help guide them through the pathway and make it more enjoyable for them.

"The overall feeling when everyone got off the water was a level of excitement to be able to race against just girls for a change; a level playing field."

It was a view echoed by Starling sailor Grace Still from the Glendowie Boating Cub.

"[The thing I like most about this regatta is] definitely the start and the no yelling," she said. "On a normal start like, people are yelling 'don't go in there' even though they don't own that bit of ocean. At this regatta, there's none of that and I love it."

Full results can be found The PredictWind Girls Champs has been a fixture on the sailing calendar for more than 30 years and its success has prompted the Kohimarama Yacht Club to look into turning it into a two-day regatta in 2022.

As many as 120 female sailors across seven junior and youth classes competed in Saturday's event and there's a feeling it would attract more sailors from further afield if it became a two-day regatta.

Sailing is rare in that both girls and boys compete against each other most of the time until they work their way up the pathway, and many females are motivated to beat the boys.

Gyanne Garner, who sails a 29er with Emma Packard, summarised what many of the young sailors felt.

"It's just girls which makes it easy to make new friends," she said. "I feel a lot more comfortable here."

Yachting New Zealand surveyed 35 competitors at the regatta, on everything from what they like about the sport, to what's missing and what they would like to know, and will use the information to continue to support young females in the sport. There will be further opportunities to fill out the survey at future regattas.

Yachting New Zealand was well represented by women's sailing manager Rosie Chapman and national sport development director Raynor Haagh as well as Erica Dawson and Liv Mackay who are Olympic campaigning and are also part of the New Zealand SailGP team. Elana Connor, who is sailing solo around the world to raise awareness of children in foster care, was also on hand.

"It was really exciting to see so many females participating," Chapman said. "The Kohimarama Yacht Club created an amazing atmosphere where the emphasis was on connection and making friends. This was a really good opportunity for people to do that.

"The level of sailing was really high. Even though the winds were really light, you could see the potential, and it's really positive to have so many females coming through who will continue to push each other and have fun along the way. Here at Yachting New Zealand we're in a position to help guide them through the pathway and make it more enjoyable for them.

"The overall feeling when everyone got off the water was a level of excitement to be able to race against just girls for a change; a level playing field."

It was a view echoed by Starling sailor Grace Still from the Glendowie Boating Cub.

"[The thing I like most about this regatta is] definitely the start and the no yelling," she said. "On a normal start like, people are yelling 'don't go in there' even though they don't own that bit of ocean. At this regatta, there's none of that and I love it."

Full results can be found by clicking here

Related Articles

Herbert makes impressive Wing Foil Racing debut
New Zealand's Sean Herbert has announced his arrival on the international stage with a bronze medal. New Zealand's Sean Herbert has announced his arrival on the international stage with a bronze medal at his Wingfoil Racing World Cup debut. Posted on 17 Jun
Yachting NZ: 'A win for the squad'
Rising Kiwi 49er team Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have won the Gold Medal at the European Champs Rising Kiwi 49er team Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have won the Gold Medal at the European Championships in Greece overnight. Posted on 9 Jun
Yachting NZ: National Championship roundup
Optimists to the Etchells, the past month has seen top performances across the board From the Optimists to the Etchells, the past month has seen top performances across the board, with sailors of all levels showcasing their skills and determination. Posted on 7 May
Taipa Sailing Club hard hit by Cyclone
The Taipa Sailing Club is reeling after being hard hit by Cyclone Tam - launches Givealittle page When Cyclone Tam tore the roof off the Taipa Sailing Club just over a week ago, the immediate future of the small Northland yacht club suddenly looked uncertain.A Givealittle page has raised more than $6000 in the first five days. Posted on 28 Apr
NZL Sailing Team: Tom Saunders wins silver
Tom Saunders celebrated his return to the world stage with NZ's second post-Olympics medla Tom Saunders celebrated his return to the world stage with New Zealand's second medal of the short international sailing season, claiming silver in his first major regatta since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Posted on 27 Apr
NZL Sailing Team: Bronze for Ten Have
Veerle Ten Have starts new Olympic campaign with bronze at Princess Sofia Trophy The 24-year-old Tauranga sailor claimed bronze in the women's iQFOiL at the 2025 Princess Sofia Trophy regatta in Palma, Mallorca on Saturday following a strong display of speed and consistency in her first major regatta since finishing 10th in Marseille. Posted on 6 Apr
Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2025 Day 3
A new top 49er crew give masterclass on Day 3 of Oceanbridge Sail Auckland Plenty of hard work and a touch of Olympic inspiration has propelled one of New Zealand's most promising double-handed crews to success at the country's premier domestic sailing event. Posted on 2 Mar
Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2025 Day 2
Set for a thrilling conclusion at Torbay Sailing Club The 2025 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland is set for a thrilling conclusion, with little separating the leaders in most fleets as they battle it out at Torbay Sailing Club. Posted on 1 Mar
YNZ CEO to step down after 14years at the helm
Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie has announced his retirement Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie has announced his retirement, bringing down the curtain on more than 14 years at the organisation's helm. Posted on 26 Feb
Olympic Silver medalists win Sailor the Year
Olympic Silver medalists win Sir Bernard Ferguson Trophy at Sailor of the Year Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie won the top honour at the 2024 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards on Friday, claiming the Sailor of the Year title as Olympic sailors dominated the major awards. Posted on 22 Nov 2024
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - BOTTOMSea Sure 2025Maritimo S Series