Issue date
New Zealand's second SailGP event came to an exhilarating conclusion on the Lyttelton Harbour at the weekend, signalling the latest of several major sailing events to look forward to in 2024.
In July and August, our NZL Sailing Team will do all they can to add to our Olympic medal tally in France, before the battle for the Auld Mug commences in Barcelona - including the inaugural Women's America's Cup and an exciting youth edition.
In the latest issue of our e-magazine Yachting & Boating Quarterly, we dive deeper into these two big dates on our calendar.
We introduce you to the first five Kiwi sailors to be named for the Olympic sailing competition in Marseille, and we take a closer look at Emirates Team New Zealand's (and the challengers') preparations for the America's Cup.
All these events feature homegrown Kiwi talent and, as we look forward to a big year of racing, it's important to remember the role our yacht clubs play in shaping these future champions.
That's why the Voice of the Participant survey is so important.
The survey allows members to tell us what is working well at their clubs and what we could do better.
Since the last survey Yachting New Zealand participated in (in 2021), we have been working closely with clubs to implement some feedback members provided.
We encourage you to take 15 minutes to complete the survey by clicking this link.
It is also a chance to acknowledge the many incredible things our sailing community has achieved.
The third edition of YBQ features some of these achievements - including the inspiring journey of a 14-year-old New Plymouth sailor, who crossed the Atlantic with her grandpa, and a Canadian woman who travelled over 13,000km (some of it by bicycle) to compete in one of our national championships.
We profile Joyce Talbot, a sailing stalwart who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the King's New Year Honours, and we celebrate one of our long-term partners Aon and their contribution to our excellent national youth programme. Without the support of Aon, and our other valued partners, we wouldn't be able to provide the level of services and programmes we currently do.
You can access the latest edition of YBQ for free by clicking here.
Enjoy!
David Abercrombie
Yachting New Zealand chief executive
