Westlake has dominated the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Team Sailing Championships at Whangarei Cruising Club, claiming both the overall and Women’s titles in a standout week of racing.
After 269 races sailed over five days at Parua Bay, Westlake Boys High School edged out Auckland Grammar School to take the overall crown, with Macleans College finishing third. In the Women’s division, Westlake Girls High School continued their remarkable winning streak, securing their fourth consecutive title. Nelson College for Girls and Whangarei Girls High School rounded out the Women’s podium. Rangitoto College and Nelson College for Girls took the Silver and Bronze fleet titles respectively.
Hosted by Sail Northland and Whangarei Cruising Club in partnership with the New Zealand Team Sailing Association, the regatta drew 28 teams from across the country to the sheltered waters of Parua Bay. Racing in modified 420-type boats ran from Tuesday 14 April through to finals day on Saturday 18 April, testing teams across the full range of conditions the Northland coast could offer, from abandoned racing in 30-plus knot winds to patient waits for a light breeze to fill in.
Stage 1 used a hybrid Swiss League format, with Auckland Grammar leading the field after 18 rounds on a perfect 18 wins. Westlake Boys finished second with 15 wins and Westlake Girls third with 13, before the finals rounds reshuffled the podium in dramatic fashion.
Congratulations to all Westlake Boys High School and Westlake Girls High School.
