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What are the New Zealand youth championships?
It is the pre-eminent youth regatta in the country and the ultimate opportunity for the sailors to put their hard work of the past season together.
It also doubles as a selection trial for the 2024 world youth championships on Lake Garda, Italy in July.
According to Yachting New Zealand youth and events manager Sam Mackay, almost 70 sailors will compete across five classes - the 29er, 420, ILCA 6, iQFOIL (8m) and - for the first time - wingfoiling.
This year's youth trials will return to its full four-day format and racing will be run by a star-studded lineup of officials, headed by former America's Cup PRO Harold Bennett.
When and where is it being held?
This year's youth trials will again be hosted by Murrays Bay Sailing Club, following the last-minute move of last year's event from the Royal Akarana Yacht Club due to the collapse of a sewerage line in Parnell in September, which led to raw wastewater flowing directly into the Waitematā Harbour.
Last year's event was due to be held over four days but was eventually shortened to two due to the spill.
This year's regatta will be sailed from Monday to Thursday next week (April 15-18).
"The four days will allow the sailors to test their skills in a wider range of conditions and put them under more of the same pressure they are likely to face in Italy," Mackay said.
The 2024 NZ youth trials will again be hosted by Murrays Bay Sailing Club.
Why the earlier date this year?
The 2024 youth worlds occur only seven months after the 2023 edition in Buzios, Brazil - forcing the youth trials to be held relatively soon after last year's event in September.
The venue for this year's youth worlds is considered by many to be the mecca of sailing, with Lake Garda featuring breathtaking scenery, clean waters and constant winds.
Who gets to go to the youth world championships?
The winners of four of the five classes will again be considered for selection, Mackay said.
"Adding the rapidly growing wingfoiling fleet to the mix at this year's youth trials will make it even more exciting, even though it won't be a selection trial for them as wingfoiling hasn't been included in the youth worlds yet," he said.
"The 2024 youth trials will be an excellent opportunity to build on the lessons from Buzios, especially with that event still so fresh in everyone's memories."
The 2023 NZL Sailing Foundation youth team for the youth world champs.
The 13-strong NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Team failed to win a medal at the 2023 youth worlds, with Joe Leith and Josh Ferrissey's fifth in the boys 420 the best return by a Kiwi competitor.
"The team had challenges adapting to big fleet racing, but the experience was still extremely valuable to a relatively young squad, many of whom had never competed at that level before," Mackay said.
"Since then, we've focused on spending more time on the water, running quality racing and sailing in more conditions on opposite ends of the spectrum."
What happened at the 2023 youth trials?
The Kensington brothers, Sean and Rowan, added the 29er youth title to their impressive list of accolades in the class, winning four of the six completed races to edge Will Leech and Tim Howse by two points. Lucy Leith and Chloe Turner were the first female crew and third overall.
George Pilkington dropped only one race on his way to the title in a strong ILCA 6 fleet, beating Zach Stibbe by three points, with Louie Poletti third. Naiomi Ferrissey was crowned female champion.
Joe Leith and Josh Ferrissey won the 420 title at last year's youth trials - and finished fifth in Buzios. Photo / Saly Shot Photography
Josh Ferrissey and Joe Leith topped the 420 fleet, three points ahead of Tessa Clinton and Nicola Hume, followed by Cameron Brown and Alex Norman.
A late charge by Aimee Bright wasn't quite enough to beat Jack Parr to the overall iQFOIL title, with Parr's three consecutive race wins at the start of the regatta good enough for the win.
Who should I keep an eye on this year?
Competition is expected to be wide open, with several of last year's youth team members moving out of the youth classes - including Bright, Pilkington, Naiomi Ferrissey, Rowan Kensington and Lucy Leith.
It won't get much tighter than the battle in the 420 fleet, where Leith and Ferrissey will again go head-to-head with Brown and Norman.
Clinton has since teamed up with Jess Handley in an exciting new partnership and they finished second (to Leith and Ferrissey) at last weekend's Autumn Youth Regatta at Wakatere Boating Club.
With Pilkington not competing, Stibbe and Poletti will start as favourites, though both were beaten by Winston Liesebach at the nationals earlier this year.
Turner has switched from the girl's skiff to the ILCA 6 and could pose a threat, along with Rose Dickey.
Despite no longer sailing with Rowan, Sean Kensington could again be among the front of the 29er fleet - this time with Leech. The pair head into the youth trials in good form after winning the Auckland champs by three points from Tom Pilkington and Morgan Lay, who were also narrowly pipped at the 2024 OceanBridge Sail Auckland in February.
Madi Russell and Kate Rasmussen could mount a strong challenge in the 29er. Photo / Salty Shot Photography
Pilkington and Lay, Madi Russell and Kate Rasmussen, and Bella Jenkins and Hume are all likely to mount a strong challenge.
Defending champion Parr will have no shortage of motivation. He was forced to withdraw from the NZL Sailing Foundation Youth team last year after picking up an injury and being replaced by Rist.
Complete list of entries here.
