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Many young sailors will be eyeing up the 2032 Olympics and it's something current and prospective race officials should have on their radar as well, given Brisbane's proximity to this country.
New Zealand is home to a number of international race officials, including the likes of John Parrish and Megan Kensington who officiated at last year's Tokyo Olympics.
They have been involved at the highest level for some time and believe there is more than enough time for another tranche of race officials to jump on the pathway to the Olympic Games.
"If this is of interest, then the time is right to start now," said Yachting New Zealand's race officials committee chair John Parrish. "It's a really rewarding journey with lots of opportunities travel, meet new people and be part of some amazing events."
Yachting New Zealand offer race officials training via the online learning platform Embark, including Intro to Race Officiating and a Club Race Officer course. These can be done in your own time and at your own pace.
There will also be national race officer training seminars held in both Auckland (July 16-17) and Wellington (August 13-14) as well as a race officers conference in Auckland on August 28. See here for more on all three of those courses.
Club judging courses will be available regionally (contact your regional development manager for details of one in your area) and there will also be a judge's forum in Auckland on August 27.
An international umpires seminar is being planned in Auckland for November to coincide with the Women's Match Racing World Championships and there is also an international race officer course being held in the United States at the end of September.
New Zealand officials feature regularly at international regattas, from the likes of international measurer Aaron Duncan through to international judge John Grace.
Yachting New Zealand's race officials committee is presently made up of John Parrish (international race officer), Ian Clouston (IRO), John Grace (international judge), Aaron Duncan (international measurer), John Rountree (international umpire and IJ), Russell Green (IJ), Megan Kensington (IRO) and Jamie Sutherland (international judge) and all are happy to field any questions about becoming a race officer.
- Photo: Sailing Energy / World Sailing.
