Issue date
There is plenty going on in 420 class and things are set to get even more exciting with the 2017 Open 420 World Championships coming to Australia in December 2017.
The New Zealand 420 Class Association reckon it’s a great time to get involved, and they have just published the Notice of Race for the next year’s 2016 New Zealand 420 National Championships, to be hosted by the Kohimarama Yacht Club in Auckland.
In a bid to bring the 420 Open World Championships closer to New Zealand the class has got in behind Australia’s successful bid to stage the 2017 edition of the regatta in Fremantle, Western Australia in December 2017.
“The 420 Class provides a fantastic stepping stone into two handed and performance yachting,” says Richard Cave from the New Zealand 420 Class Association. “The stable boats can plane upwind.”
New Zealand 420 sailors have been very successful on the world stage and notable names you may recognize from recent years include Alex Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (Women’s 420 Champions 2009); Frankie Lardies and Finn Drummond (Silver Medal Open World Championship 2009); Simon Cooke and Scott Illingworth (4th Open World Championship 2008 and Silver Medal Open World Championship 2007); Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin (6th Open World Championship 2008); Carl Evans and Peter Burling (Open World Champions 2006 and 2007); Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (Women’s 420 World Champions 2007).
Carl Evans and Peter Burling in 2007 © Cristine Hansen
Resident within New Zealand now, and available for 420 coaching include Frankie Lardies, Carl Evans, Marina Basilo and Konrad Weaver.
“The 420 offers easy rig and sail tuning learning opportunities greater than any other class. Sailor combinations 100-120kg of +13yrs should not be denied the learning opportunity,” adds Cave.
The Auckland based 2016 420 Nationals provides a remarkable easy access opportunity. Accommodation is abundant.
Notice of Race: http://kyc.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2016-NOR-420-Nationals-Rev-A..pdf
