Otago Girls’ High School recently had a team sailing training weekend at Lake Wanaka with the sailors from Mt Aspiring College. For the Wanaka sailors it was great making new friends and introducing them to sailing in the 420. The Lake Wanaka club instructor coached on Saturday, but unfortunately strong gale force winds saw sailing canned in the afternoon. It was then back to classroom theory in club house, where the Wanaka sailors proved to be very good mentors. Drills and r

We have managed to complete our training clinic. By all accounts, everyone found something to enjoy! Our first day was too windy so Hamish concentrated on classroom training (I’m sure all the sailors were thrilled to be back in a class room during the school holidays!). The second day produced slightly lighter airs, but not by much and those that braved the water had to hang on for grim death! However, those that persevered, gained a lot in experience – some of it swimmin

Another RR completed this morning with a nice 10-15 knt breeze, a bit of steady rain and showers. Afternoon racing called off after 3 races. Ashore for a rules session.

Update from LTYC from Wednesday : Clinic went well yesterday …. Sadly no sailing … They started setting to set up sails but it was too windy ….. Hamish did lots of video and class work and I think they all learned a bit….. We all ended up have a potluck lunch which worked really well to get everyone to mix and mingleThe visitors all got to fleet race at 6pm as it was our club night then they stayed for dinner at the club …… Today we plan to sail ….. Fingers crossed we do!! Pa

Perfect conditions today made for some very fair and tactical team sailing. Managed to complete three round robins in both the Open Fleet and Girls Fleet. Great sailing from all teams, many close calls but luckily no major boat damage (except for a broken rudder and minor hull damage). Good team spirit from Canberra and Cook Island Girls, lovely to hear their singing across the course. Today we had a full 10 hours of non-stop racing, sunburn and a few laughs, looking forward

Today was the beginning of the Pacific Rim Regatta and it started off with a blow. Only got 4 races in before having to postpone the racing until 1pm. In the afternoon the wind dropped off and was light. There was a close race between Kerikeri and Kristin, with Kristin finishing 1,3,6. Leading the girls is New Plymouth, with Kristin and Kerikeri tied for the open fleet. Only half a round robin was completed today, due to the changing conditions causing racing to be called off

A one-day team sailing umpires’ seminar is being held at Sandspit Yacht Club, Sandspit, Warkworth, on Sunday 25 th September, immediately prior to the 2016 Pacific Rim Inter-Schools Team Sailing Championships (Interdoms). This seminar was originally organised for a number of young people from the regions, to act as junior umpires at the event, to try and bring them up to speed, so they can go back home and encourage others. However, it has now been opened to other prospectiv

Day one of South Pacific Teams Regatta – Cook Islands verses NZ. Looking forward to a day on the water with lots of sunshine breaking through and light wind conditions. The sailors are all in high spirits and forming some great friendships with fellow sailing mates.

Our long-time supporter and event helper, Margaret Park has been awarded a Life Time Award from the Canterbury Yachting Association – Congratulations from all at NZTSA. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/81421164/champion-crew-win-canterbury-yachtie-of-the-year-award-after-national-title

Confirmation of dates for the 2017 Secondary Schools Nationals – as for this year, Registration and Briefing on the Saturday afternoon (22nd April). Start of racing Sunday 23rd April, through to and including Friday 28 April (Prize-giving in the evening), with just half day sailing (start 13:00) again on ANZAC Day (Tuesday 25th) – total 5 1/2 days sailing. Venue Algies Bay, Warkworth, as previously notified. Team sailing Umpires’ course Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd, probably

Photos by Susanna

Congratulations to Kerikeri High School Open team on winning the regatta, followed by Kristin School in 2nd place and Wentworth College 3rd. Top Girls team Napier Girls’ High School, 2nd girls’ team and top of the silver fleet Diocesan School for Girls and 3rd New Plymouth Girls High School. Bronze fleet winners Glendowie College.

Day 5 again saw some tricky, light conditions with a cold southerly hitting the bay early in the morning. The race committee sent the sailors ashore early at 10am without starting a race. The sailors then hit the water again around 11:30am to finally commence racing. In the all competitive bronze fleet Matt Wylie holds the clear play of the day in bronze fleet. Even though his team had a comfortable 1,2 lead, Wylie sitting in 2nd place decided the umpires were a little bored

Repechages have been completed, but the wind died off and racing was stopped for the day

Photography – Susana Buckton Day 4 of the schools’ team sailing nationals saw the sailors hit the water early with hot and light conditions. Many teams were keen to carry their form forward from the day before, others were looking to make improvements on their day 3 results. With the OA on track to do 3 round robins, the opportunity to be promoted around fleets was still there – it was game on for all teams. Bronze had the most competitive day they have had all regatta. Some

It was a windy day out on the water with gusts of 20+ knots stopping racing early around 11 am for a few hours. However, the organisers persevered and at about 1pm racing resumed. Gold/silver course managed to complete race 45 and Bronze fleet will start tomorrow with race 24. In Bronze Fleet, it was all about Glendowie, displaying some class sailing, with Greg Hunter pulling off the play of the day, with a brilliant mark 3 trap, taking out 3 opposition boats and saving his t

Monday saw the sailing start in the afternoon, giving the sailors and organisers time to remember the men and women who died serving before us. Bronze fleet saw some close racing and the all girls’ Cook Islands team carried their form forward from yesterday, to allow them to qualify for the promotion to silver fleet. Nelson Girls and Paremata were also promoted to silver fleet through via the repechage. Well done to all! Silver fleet was strongly contested in the lower end, w