French Bay Yacht Club introduce exciting new regatta

by Miranda Powrie on 26 Jun 2014 The Young Challenger's Cup is a youth focused sailing event where emerging sailors will have a chance to experience the speed and precision of high performance fleet racing in small multihulls.

Yacht clubs from around NZ are invited to put forward a team of four sailors between the ages of 12 and 17 to battle with up to 15 other teams for the Young Challenger's Cup trophy.

Teams will be tested on their team work, yachting general knowledge, fitness, time keeping, rules knowledge as well as their ability to sail. This is not just a yachting regatta; it’s a 2 day adventure that will test all involved to the limit of their abilities.

This event will take place over two days and 2 nights from September 12th to 14th and be sailed using a fleet of identical Weta Trimarans. The Young Challenger's Cup will raise much needed funding and profile for French Bay Yacht Club, based in Titirangi, West Auckland. After being on the verge of closing its doors 5 years ago, French Bay has become the model for sailing club revival and today has a vibrant family centred membership that includes senior, youth and junior racing and coaching programmes.

'The Young Challenger's Cup is a new regatta concept and uniquely 'French Bay', not only focusing on sailing but also on team work, organisation and self reliance,' says French Bay Commodore Matt Hall-Smith. 'The Wetas are outstanding boats and to have them provided by Weta Marine and racing together is an exceptional opportunity to experience what it’s like to race multihulls hard. Most adults haven’t even tried this.'

The Weta is a 4.4 meter trimaran with a boomless main, jib and roller furling gennaker that won Sailing World’s dinghy of the year in 2010, today over 1000 have been sold worldwide. It is usually raced by 1 or 2 adults, but is large and stable enough to take 4 people. It's a manoeuvrable, fast paced boat which will give the Young Challenger's Cup competitors a taste of high performance sailing, especially on the reaching starts with the gennaker. However the Weta is one design and forgiving to sail, so the races will come down to team work and tactics. Expect a close battle for the trophy!

If you've got some kids at your club who want to try a regatta with a difference, you can register your interest in the Young Challenger's Cup!