Issue date
The 45th ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships has arrived. Racing starts today in Malaysia at the annual event where the best youth sailors from around the world culminate in one location and wage battle on the water in a quest for Youth World domination.
It is the regatta where multiple Olympic medallists and sailing legends have first been able to exhibit their prowess to the international yachting world, and for 14 young talented hard-working kiwis, their opportunity to make history begins tomorrow.
420 crew Taylor Balogh reports, “We have put in all the preparation. There is nothing more we can do and we can’t wait to get out on the water’.
Team leader Ian Neely confirms that the team are eager for the regatta to get underway. “Everyone is excited to go racing tomorrow, feeling ready and are happy with the equipment they have got,” he says. “We’re looking forward to the week ahead, it looks like we have a nice breeze and the team are ready to get into it.”
New Zealand Women’s RS:X representative Lauren Mackenzie says, “I’ve had a great time adjusting to the beautiful conditions of Langkawi so far and love the new RS:X gear. I am really looking forward to battling it out on the water with the other RS:X girls and giving it my all.”
Ali Nightingale, the only member of the young team who has been to a previous ISAF Youth Sailing World Champs reports, “I am excited for racing and pleasantly surprised with the conditions we have experienced so far. We have been enjoying a lot more breeze than expected which is suiting me well”.
As can be seen, a very positive, motivated and happy NZL Yachting Trust Youth team prior to getting into racing tomorrow. Time to make some history in the morning. Watch this space.
