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New Zealand’s aspiring youth sailors are learning from the best with NZL Sailing Team sailors contributing their time and expertise at Yachting New Zealand run Youth Development Clinics around the country.
Over the coming summer season Yachting New Zealand will stage a range of clinics for youth aged sailors competing in Olympic feeder classes such as the 420, 29er, RS:X, Laser Radial as identified youth feeder classes, the Techno and Starling, at a variety of venues including Christchurch, Picton, New Plymouth and Auckland.
At the five Clinics held so far, Yachting New Zealand lead youth coaches have been joined by the likes of Blair Tuke (Olympic silver medallist and 2013 49er world champion), Alexandra Maloney ( 2013 49erFX World Champion), as well as 2012 Olympians Andrew Murdoch and Paul Snow-Hansen. The big names and quality coaching on offer has attracted record registrations with over 40 sailors taking part at each of the two clinics already completed.
One young sailor reaping the benefits is 2013 winner of the Emerging Talent Award for the Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards is Nick Egnot-Johnson.
“I thought that the 29er clinic last weekend was really awesome! I learnt heaps from it,” says Nick.
“I was lucky enough to spend the day in the coach boat with Blair Tuke! He had heaps to offer and I hope he can coach us again in the future.”
Ian Neely, Yachting New Zealand’s Talent Development Manager explains what the goal is; “The clinics are aimed at preparing sailors for their class national championships and youth selection regattas as well as the 2014 ISAF Youth World Championships and youth class world championships.”
“Our next clinic is at Torbay Sailing Club on Auckland’s North Shore immediately following the popular Sir Peter Blake Memorial Regatta and we expect just as good a turn out. And we already have 14 sailors registered for a Starling clinic being run in Picton at the end of the month where 2013 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team coach Jim Maloney will be coaching alongside local Queen Charlotte Yacht Club coach Scott Fyffe.”
For more information on Yachting New Zealand’s Youth Development Programme visit the Youth Development section of our website.
