NZL Youth Sailing Team Set To Defend World Title

For Immediate Release:

YACHTING NEW ZEALAND - OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE

Date: Wednesday 16 July 2003

Issued By: Louise Andrews - Communication & Projects Coordinator

NZL YOUTH SAILING TEAM SET TO DEFEND TITLE AT WORLD CHAMPS

ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship

17 - 26 July 2003

Madeira, Portugal

The 2003 Yachting New Zealand Youth Team will compete against the world's top youth sailors from 44 Countries at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, which officially begins in Madeira tomorrow. The regatta is often referred to as the "Youth Olympics", and is the most prestigious youth regatta on the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) calendar. America's Cup skippers Russell Coutts, Dean Barker and Chris Dickson have all represented New Zealand at the regatta in past year's.

The 8 member team selected at the Yachting New Zealand Youthsail regatta in April have their sights set on hanging onto the Volvo Team Trophy their predecessors won at the 2002 event in Canada, awarded to the best overall team. Boardsailor Anna Eason is the only returning member of last year's team, at 18 years of age this will be her last with the rules stating that all competitors must be under the age of 19 at the end of the year that the regatta is held. She is looking to improve upon her 6th place from last year.

2003 Yachting New Zealand Youth Team consists of:

420 Women - Sarah Bilkey / Olivia Powrie (both from Kohimarama Yacht Club)

420 Men - Alastair Thompson (Torbay Sailing Club) / Scott Kennedy (Kohimarama Yacht Club)

Mistral Women - Anna Eason (Bucklands Beach Yacht Club)

Mistral Men - David Robertson (Kohimarama Yacht Club)

Laser Radial - Jo Aleh (Kohimarama Yacht Club)

Laser - Luke Judge (Torbay Sailing Club)

Support:

Paul Page (Manager) mobile: 021 848 369

Ian Neely (Coach)

Matt Davies (Coach)

The regatta begins tomorrow with measuring and registration,
with the first race due to begin on the 19th July at 1200hrs. Twelve races are scheduled with five set as the minimum required to constitute a series.

Useful Links:

For Team Profiles check out the Youth Sailing Pages of our website: www.yachtingnz.org.nz

For venue and entry information see the official website: www.worldyouthsailingmadeira.com

ENDS

For further information contact:

Louise Andrews

Communications & Projects Coordinator

Yachting New Zealand

Phone: (09) 488 9324 ext 808

Yachting New Zealand would like to thank the 2003 Yachting New Zealand Youth Team Official Sponsors: New Zealand Academy of Sport, The New Zealand International Yachting Trust, ASB Bank, The New Zealand Community Trust, Line 7 and Adidas Eyewear.

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