Auckland City Council - City Scene

Regatta team for Japan

Six young Auckland sailors have been farewelled on a trip to Fukuoka, Japan where they will compete in the Asian Pacific Friendship Regatta being held to celebrate the centenary of the city's port.

They will meet young people from Russia, China, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Australia and Japan - and although yachting will be the focus, there will also be an emphasis on cultural exchange and friendship.

Their week-long visit is being sponsored by Fukuoka City , which has been a sister city to Auckland since 1986. The team was selected by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and the trip organised in liaison with Auckland City's International Affairs group.

The sailors, aged between 15 - 17 years, were selected on merit from the four Auckland yacht clubs which have youth training programmes, and will be competing in Optimists or Mini-hoppers provided by their hosts.

© Scoop Media

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