Yachting New Zealand’s high-performance team has been helping young sailors build their skills and experience, with recent coaching clinics in the 49erFX, Starling and ILCA 6 classes providing opportunities to learn from experienced coaches and elite athletes.
Last weekend, 12 girls took part in a 49erFX try-out day at Torbay Sailing Club, while sailors in the Starling Girls Accelerator programme gathered at Murrays Bay Sailing Club for a coaching clinic ahead of next year’s national championships.
The 49erFX session introduced participants to the high-performance women’s skiff, with New Zealand’s leading 49erFX crew Nicola and Rebecca Hume, Olympic silver medallist Molly Meech, Yachting New Zealand Athlete Development Manager Geoff Woolley, 2004 Olympian Andrew Brown and former 49er sailor Sam Bacon sharing their knowledge and experience.
The clinic offered the girls an opportunity to get to grips with the boat and learn from sailors with extensive experience at the highest level of the sport.
A dozen girls participated in the 49er FX try-out day. Photo / Supplied
Meanwhile, the 14 sailors in Yachting New Zealand’s Starling Girls Accelerator programme had a busy weekend, beginning with a presentation from High Performance Sport New Zealand’s Vicki Hudson on Friday before heading out on the water for their coaching clinic.
Held at Murrays Bay Sailing Club, the session provided valuable preparation for the 2027 Starling National Championships, which will be held at the same venue in April.
Coaches Naiomi Ferrissey, Matthew Rist and Caleb Armit worked with the sailors throughout the clinic, helping them develop their skills ahead of the major event.
The Starling Girls Accelerator programme group were put through their paces at Murrays Bay Sailing Club. Photo / Supplied
The previous weekend, more than a dozen regional ILCA 6 sailors gathered in Picton for a three-day clinic running from Friday to Sunday.
The group included sailors from Christchurch, Picton, Nelson and Wellington, with experience ranging from those new to the ILCA 6 to sailors with around two years in the boat.
Coached by Rist and George Pilkington, the clinic covered a range of key areas, including starting techniques and positioning, boat speed and boat-handling. Sailors also took part in strategy sessions and some club racing, with a barbecue providing an opportunity to connect off the water.
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
