Issue date
Dear members
The Yachting New Zealand Board of Directors will welcome Rodger Kerr-Newell (Board President), Greg Knowles (Board Member) and John Cobb (Board Member) at the up-coming Annual General Meeting. But two further positions remain open on the YNZ Board of Directors for appointed positions (not elected). The Board would welcome individuals with strong marketing experience and women passionate about yachting to address the female void that will be created with Jan Dawson’s departure. If you know of someone who fits the bill this is your opportunity to actively influence the future direction of your sport.
Recently Andrew Clouston and I have been on the road to meet and talk with you about what’s happening on the ground at Club level and discuss with you our strategic direction. It has been a valuable exercise and wonderful to meet with so many supportive members. I have been encouraged and pleased with the acceptance of our new Strategic Direction and the quality, capability and enthusiasm of so many we meet reflects a new strength in the sport.
The NZL Sailing Team has achieved unprecedented success with three world titles already in 2013. Congratulations to Jez Fanstone, sailors and coaches on the great results!
The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in San Francisco in September was a terrific event and I was delighted to watch the NZL Sailing Team with ETNZ secure the trophy with FMJ Racing also on the podium. It reinforces the strength and depth of New Zealand sailing and the level of talent we have within our Olympic programme while also demonstrating that there are opportunities for those that sit outside of it.
34th America’s Cup - the dream didn’t turn out the way we all hoped, but despite that Yachting New Zealand congratulates ALL of Emirates Team New Zealand for their inspirational sportsmanship… you fought til the end, you are incredible role-models to New Zealand’s aspiring sailors and we applaud the way you represent this sailing nation. It was terrific to see how many kiwis followed and supported Emirates Team New Zealand.
Kind regards
David Abercrombie
