The accolades and reward continue to come for our 2012 Olympic sailing medallists with two exciting announcements over the Christmas period. Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie were included in the New Year’s Honours list each recognised with the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to sailing, alongside all of New Zealand’s 2012 Olympic gold medallists.

Poole, Great Britain is set to welcome a stellar cast of Paralympic and both able-bodied and disabled Worlds medallists when it hosts one of the most unique sailing events on the international racing calendar this year - the International 2.4 Metre class Open World Championships.

The New Zealand Access Class Association has an opportunity for you to show your support for growing inclusive sailing opportunities in NZ - contribute to class development by becoming a member today!

Junior and senior members of the New Plymouth Yacht Club split into teams of six to contest the Climate 24 Hour Yacht Race, which ran over 22-23 December. Sailing the seven yacht club-owned 420 dinghies the teams started with a Le Mans start, and then raced over a short inner harbour course, meaning close quarters racing for the full 24 hours.

The Elliot 5.9’s have joined the regatta and will be hosting their national championships. The class is attracting high profile sailors. 15 boats are likely to compete. The likes of Mike Sanderson competing in the Elliot 5.9 class at the Auckland Regatta will see some stiff competition. The Elliot 5.9 class is in great shape.

They do things a bit differently in the world of classic sailing and with two major regatta weekends nearing, including Auckland Anniversary Weekend activities in Mahurangi and Auckland in January, and Southern Trust Classic Yacht Regatta in February, preparations are in full swing to make sure that everything is well and truly ready, boats included.

Just like the city itself, Auckland Anniversary Regatta is a melting pot of cultural experiences, and the regatta is pleased to welcome the return of Dragon Boating. It's the Chinese year of the Water Dragon, and Dragon Boats will take to the water, for Auckland Anniversary Regatta, on Monday 28 January. Crewed by ten paddlers, plus a drummer to set the rhythm, and a sweep or helm to guide the boat in a straight line, the boats, which are from Auckland, the Bay of Plenty and Hamilton, will be based at Waitemata Plaza, and will race from approximately 10am-4pm in the Viaduct Basin.

High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) yesterday announced an $11.2 million dollar investment in yachting over the coming four years to support Yachting New Zealand’s 2013-2016 Olympic Programme.

Here’s a look at the up-coming sailing related events around the country for the next couple of weeks. See the YNZ on-line calendar for full details of these events and those on in January and beyond. Don’t see your event in there? Don’t miss out on some free promotion for your sailing events by adding them to the YNZ on-line calendar here.