Issue date
Dear members
With the change of seasons and the end of daylight savings we find ourselves fast approaching the culmination of the summer season of sailing. It’s an exciting time with National Championship regattas being contested around the country across all disciplines of our sport from keelers and multihulls, to dinghies, skiffs and windsurfers.
And what a summer it has been for cruising and recreational boaties! I hope you’ve enjoyed plenty of relaxing time on the water, in your favourite anchorage or exploring somewhere new. It’s a reminder to us all the we must remain vigilant in collectively advocating to ensure we have continued access to New Zealand’s coastal and inland waterways.
Member Card and Yachting New Zealand mobile app
45 affiliated clubs have now come on board with the Member Card scheme – I am delighted with the uptake since we launched the Member Card and discount programme late last year.
If you haven’t got it already – it’s time to download our mobile app to your smartphone or tablet. It’s free and anyone can download the mobile app to keep up-to-date with the latest yachting and boating news.
The app is even better if your Club has joined our Member Card scheme, just head to the membership benefits screen to find out about discounts with the likes of Aon Insurance, Bluebridge Ferries, Doyles Sails New Zealand, Go Fuel, Millennium Hotels, Volvo Cars New Zealand, Safety at Sea, VTNZ and plenty more.
High Performance
It’s time to start getting excited about Rio 2016. The high performance athletes in our sport are the role models to our aspirational junior and youth sailors. When competing on the world stage, especially under the media spotlight of the Olympic Games, they have the potential to be inspirational and to make all New Zealanders proud.
In March Yachting New Zealand and the New Zealand Olympic Committee jointly announced ten sailors, in five double-handed boats to sail at Rio 2016 with more sailing selections anticipated in May. We also announced, in conjunction with Paralympics New Zealand, that New Zealand’s Kiwi Gold Sonar crew will sail at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
I wish to congratulate all 13 sailors named already to go to Rio 2016, and the coaches and support staff that have worked with them to reach this milestone. Join us, and get behind them on the Road to Rio – the Olympic Games opening ceremony is in Rio on 5 August, and the sailing gets underway on 8 August 2016.
2017 World Masters Games
Registration is now open for the World Masters Games - coming to New Zealand in 2017.
The World Masters Games is the world’s largest multi-sport event with around 25,000 athletes from 100 countries expected to take part. Sailing, being hosted by Torbay Sailing Club, is one of 28 sports included.
Full details of competition dates and times; events and format which includes a breakdown of age categories; competition rules; and venue detail can be found in the Sailing Sports Information Guide. Take a look – and if you’re eligible – register and get training!
Finally, do take the time to look through Briefings newsletter when it hits your inbox – I am sure you will find some great reading to suit your area of interest in there. If you have a story you would like included send it through to Jodie our Briefings Editor on Jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
Sincerely
David Abercrombie
