Issue date
The first of the season’s Zone Development Clinics for the Otago Region took place over the weekend of the 13th and 14th October at the Macandrew Bay Boating Club on the Otago Harbour.
The Zone Development Clinic was targeted at the growing fleet of Starling sailors in the area at present. The goal was to see these sailors competing with confidence at the Nationals in Picton later in the year as well as other significant regattas both within the region and the greater South Island.
A pre-season coaching weekend at the Otago Yacht Club on the 2nd and 3rd September preceded the Clinic and provided an opportunity to blow the winter cob webs off.
“October’s Zone Development Clinic was held in blustery conditions which tested the sailor’s boat handling skills and the downwind exercises certainly involved a bit of swimming,” says Graeme Wall, YNZ Regional Support Officer for Otago.
“The weekend, which was supported by Yachting New Zealand, saw Hayden Whitburn come down from Auckland to conduct the clinic. Hayden, who now works in Auckland for North Sails, was originally from the Macandrew Bay Boating Club so it was a great opportunity for him to both see what is happening at his home club but to also be able to coach the next generation coming through.”
Hayden was very well assisted by an ex Auckland sailor, Nick Croft.
“Nick is currently studying at the Otago University and has been tracked down by the local yachting community. Nick is happy to become involved in some coaching down here and hopefully be able to impart a few tips from the Auckland racing scene. Both Hayden and Nick were well received by the dozen sailors that attended the clinic and all were able to learn for the experience of these two sailors,” continues Graeme Wall.
Three sailors, India Fitzgerald, Rick Sanders and Sean Dickey, from Wanaka travelled over for the weekend.
The weekend concluded with the participants being able to take part in the club racing at the Macandrew Bay Club though with the odd bit of damage incurred, including a broken centerboard, not all could make it to the start line.
The Starling fleet is hopefully going to be bit more mobile this season with local parent, Graeme Bennett, building an impressive purpose built trailer that is capable of transporting many starlings to events around the South Island.
The next Zone Development Clinic for the Starlings in the Otago area is planned for the end of January 2013.
Banner image: Hayden and Nick conducting the final debriefing on the weekend at the Clubhouse on Sunday afternoon.
