Just Finished

YouthSail is over for 2006 with no racing in Christchurch, New Zealand today due to lack of wind. Winners in the prestigious annual youth regatta will be awarded their trophies at tonight’s prizegiving and the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team 2006 will be officially announced next week.

53 boats and five boards from throughout New Zealand came together at Naval Point Club in Lyttelton, and over the last four days 90 youth sailors, age 18 and under have been battling it out in six different classes.

For the 86 sailors competing in the youth classes, this regatta is the final step in the selection process for the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team to travel to the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship to be held in Weymouth, Great Britain from 12-21 July.

The Winners

In the Lasers Matt COUTTS scored four bullets on his way to victory, whilst Cushla HUME-MERRY finished top in the Laser Radial. Amongst the 420s, last year’s team from the Youth Worlds, Peter BURLING and Bruce KENNEDY raced in separate teams. This time it was KENNEDY who came out on top, with he and helm Jason SAUNDERS beating Carl EVANS and BURLING into second place. In the girls’ fleet, Sarah and Emma BERRY took the honours.

Meanwhile New Zealand’s Youth World representatives from 2005, Rory and Kelly GODMAN were the top team in the Hobie 16, whilst the windsurfing honours in the RS:X went to Joshua NIXON and Justina SELLERS. William STEVENS and Mathew SWINBOURN finished top in the 29er.

Nations Entered In The Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship 2006
(Links to teams where available)

For all the latest news from the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship CLICK HERE.