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Tauranga sailors feature once again the line-up for the 2013 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team with Zak Merton and Sam Barnett continuing the stream of talent to come from the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club over recent years.
Sam and Zak have been selected for the boy’s double-handed dinghy spot to sail the 420 at the 2013 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships on from 13-20 July in Limmasol, Cyprus.
Selection was by no means plain sailing with an extremely tough three way battle between Sam and Zak, Taylor Burn and Henry Gibbs from Picton, and Taylor Balogh and Sam Lee from Christchurch at the selection regattas which included 2013 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland and the 2013 420 National Championships.
It literally came down to the very last race at the 2013 420 National Championships where the level of competition was top notch according to Ian Neely, Talent Development Manager for Yachting New Zealand.
Sam and Zak are club-mates at the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club who joined forces in the double-handed 420 dinghy in the middle of 2012. Both have previously represented New Zealand internationally in the Optimist class; Sam at the Asian Optimist Championship in 2011, and Zak a two-time representative at the European Optimist Championships.
Find out more about Sam and Zak in this article which featured in the Bay of Plenty Times.
We asked both Sam and Zak a few questions, and here’s what they had to say…
Zak Merton
Yacht Club: Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club
Date of birth: 3rd July 1996
Q: List your top three sailing accomplishments?
- Representing New Zealand at the European Optimist Championships in 2010 and 2011
- My 2011/12 Starling season - coming 1st at North Islands and 1st Under 16 Year Old at Nationals
- Representing New Zealand at the Japanese International Friendship regatta in 2012 coming 3rd sailing a Laser 4.7
Q: How did you get into sailing?
A: After moving from Southland to Tauranga as a 10 year old my father took my brother and I to a 'Have a Go' sailing day for his birthday. We both fell in love instantly with it so Mum and Dad enrolled us in a Learn to Sail course.
Q: Favourite thing to eat after a long day on the water?
A: Any food is good food - hey I'm a 16 year old boy!
Q: Favourite place to sail?
A: Tauranga Harbour
Q: Who are your role models?
A: I have many sailing role models I look up to including Jason Saunders and Peter Burling from TYPBC. My biggest non sailing role model is my grandfather, Dr Don Merton, who died two years ago after a lifelong career of saving endangered birds including the Chatham Island Black Robin and the Kakapo.
Q: What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
A: There is a lot more to learn than other boats I have sailed and it is a continual and exciting challenge.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in the upcoming year?
A: To be well prepared to achieve a good placing at both the ISAF Youth Worlds and the 420 Worlds. To keep on advancing my sailing skills.
Q: How will you prepare for the Youth Worlds?
A: Train on and off the water and to continue a healthy eating regime.
Sam Barnett
Yacht Club: Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club
Date of birth: 17 September 1996
Q: List your top three sailing accomplishments?
- NZ Optimist Team to Asian Optimist Championship in Singapore, 2011- top kiwi
- 1st 420 North Island Champs 2013
- 3rd 420 National Champs 2013
Q: How did you get into sailing?
A: Learning to sail was part of PE at our school and that got me interested in sailing but it wasn't until I was twelve and Terry Nicholas began a racing training programme at Wakatere that I did my first regatta - Winter Champs 2009 in Optimist.
Q: Favourite thing to eat after a long day on the water?
A: Cold Up'N'Go
Q: Favourite place to sail?
A: Lake Pupuke
Q: Who are your role models?
A: Terry Nicholas, Luke Stevenson, Jo Aleh
Q: What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
A: Technical- develops our skills. Close competitive racing with a strong fleet.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in the upcoming year?
A: Top 10 at Youth worlds, Top half gold fleet at 420 World Champs. Win Youth trials for next season
Q: How will you prepare for the Youth Worlds?
A: Train hard with other 420s. Set and achieve process goals related to specific techniques.
Banner photo by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com
