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The match racing season is approaching at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, when three major events will take place in a little over two months.
The Squadron will host the Auckland Match Racing Championships (August 21-22), Harken NZ Match Racing Championships (Sept 29-Oct 3) and NZ Women’s Match Racing Championships (Nov 6-7).
All three will be sailed in their fleet of Elliott 7s, with the action taking place in the waters in the shadow of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The Auckland Match Racing Championships is a qualifier for the Harken NZ Match Racing Championships, with the top three finishers gaining automatic entry.
The NZ Match Racing Championships have historically attracted quality sailors and the likes of Dean Barker, Brad Butterworth, Chris Dickson, Rod Davis, Phil Robertson, Gavin Brady and Ray Davies have lifted the trophy since the first competition in 1986.
Graeme Sutherland and his team of Logan Sutherland, Micah Wilkinson and Sam Meech prevailed in big breeze last year, beating world No 3 Nick Egnot Johnson in the final.
The story of last year's NZ Women’s Match Racing Championships was the victory by Samantha Norman and her experienced crew of Bex Costello, Hana Hielkema, Polly Powrie and Miranda Addy (and their support team), who came from behind to beat Celia Willison's Edge Women's Match team 3-2 in the final.
Samantha Norman and her 'team'. Photos: Andrew Delves / RNZYS.
More information on all three regattas, including entry details and the notices of race, can be found on the Royal New Zealand Squadron's events page here.
