Sail-World New Zealand: 2 December Newsletter 2010

Sail-World New Zealand: 2 December 2010

Welcome to Sail-World.com's New Zealand newsletter for 2 December 2010

New Zealanders Peter Burling and Blair Tuke enjoy a dip between races on the first day of racing - Zhik Australian Championship Haylee Outteridge

The Monsoon Cup got underway in Malaysia, yesterday, and those who watched the event live on Sail-World, courtesy of SailTV, enjoyed some great racing, great venue, great coverage and excellent commentary.

This series is a real needle match - and will determine the 2010 World Match Racing Championship. The time frames work Ok for New Zealand viewers - so make sure you catch the action!

Click on the link on the top right hand side of Sail-World.com to view.

The Kiwis had a mixed bag on the opening day - but everyone knows it is early days and there is plenty more great racing to come.

In their report, World Match Racing Champions, and recently crowned New Zealand sailor of the Year, Blackmatch Racing, set out the permutations for the world championship. It's complicated but keep it in mind, as the event unfolds over the next few days.

This is possibly the end of an era for Blackmatch Racing, as skipper Adam Minoprio joins the Camper/Team New Zealand Volvo crew for the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race, and he will not be competing on the circuit next year.

Heir apparent, Phil Robertson and the Waka Racing crew have had a superb year, but will have to step up in the Monsoon Cup.

As we noted in the last edition of Sail-World, the Louis Vuitton Trophy, Dubai was The Last Waltz for Emirates Team NZ in the America's Cup Class, which has served the New Zealand team so well. In a video compiled by Louis Vuitton, they look back over the ACC era, and close with some very reflective comments from Emirates Team NZ skipper, Dean Barker, which underline the situation that all existing monohull teams now find themselves in terms of inventory and human resources.

Barker didn't feel disposed to go skydiving at Dubai, but make sure you catch the video and images of commentator Peter Lester and America's cup skipper, Jimmy Spithill as they take to the plane and then the skies.

Sail Auckland is moving to Takapuna Beach in 2011, venue for the 2008 Olympic class World Championships in the RS:X, Laser Radial and Tornado classes - however racing and events can't happen without volunteers - and in this edition we are calling for volunteers to heklp with race management and all manner of other duties. If you can give a day or two - you'll find that it is a great experience, and the organisers will be pleased to hear from you.

Jodie Bakewell-White tells of the international teams that are travelling to Auckland for the paralympic sailing event, which is part of Sail Auckland.

North Sails have had a good year on the regatta circuits of the world. We summarise these achievements in this edition of Sail-World, and present a video clip with some segments of 3DL sails under construction - very interesting for those who follow sailing technology.

Thanks for your help and input, we're here to help sailing, and help those who wish to help themselves. Many thanks to those who have contributed to this edition.

Good sailing!

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor

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