Article added: Monday 17 June 2024

We’re nearly at the end of our sailing season, and we’ve been super busy! January 2024 started with the PClass Tanner and Tauranga cups, the ILCA National Championships then Auckland Championships, and we haven’t stopped since!

Congratulations to all Howick sailors who participated in various regattas since January. Here are some to name a few; PClass Wihau shield and Secretaries Cup, Youth International Match Racing Cup, Predictwind Girls Regatta, Harken Young88 National Championship, Secondary Schools Fleet Racing, NZ National Keelboat Championships, Secondary Schools National Teams Racing, Secondary Schools Keelboat National Championships, Optimist Interislander in Picton, RS Feva Nationals at Maraetai, Optimist Nationals in Picton, East Auckland Series, Youth Trials, Centreport International Youth Match Racing, Sanders Cup Interprovincial Challenge and Javelin Skiff Nationals, Howick Autumn Series and Club Championship, Farr 1020 National Championship, not to mention club Flat Island and Sunday racing as well – yep it’s been busy, and it was delightful to see our sailors improving steadily throughout the season.

Two Opti sailors excelled at NZIODA ranking regattas this year and were selected by NZIODA for the European and Development teams respectively!  After placing third at the PClass Wihau Shield, Lauchy Wills then put in strong performances at Opti ranking regattas, qualifying for the NZIODA Europeans Team who are heading to Carrara in Italy on 21^st June 2024.  Alex Sommerville also raced up the ranks and will be joining the NZIODA Senior Development Team.  Well done Lauchy and Alex!

After a stressful time in her Starling at the Auckland Champs, Emily Frewin jumped into an RS Feva at the Predictwind Girls Regatta and won 3^rd place!  She’s now leading a team of girls racing in an Elliot7 for the BBYC winter series. Go Emily!

Shout out to Kieran Gawn who has steadfastly been the solo representative for Howick Sailing Club and Howick College in the ILCA 6 youth fleets including ILCA National Championships, and Youth trials.  Keep up the great work, Kieran!

Junior Howick sailors performed superbly at the East Auckland series however Glendowie edged up by six points in the final leg to win the trophy – better luck next season Howick!  Our sailors showed some awesome sailing and won podium spots with Leo Wills taking top spot in Opti Green and Carlos Shelley in third place, Connor Smith won second place and Jacob Powell came third for Starling Development, and for Starling Open, Rhys Money won first place, Jonathan Tough third.  Great stuff team – let’s get the trophy back next year!  We also want to acknowledge our newest Opti Green sailors Charlie Pruvost and Wolfgang Hall who entered the fleet partway through the series as they completed Learn To Race – it’s great to see your love of sailing.

Tim McCulloch had a great year on winning boats e.g. third place in the Youth International Match Racing Cup, second youth (seventh overall) in NZ National Keelboat Championships, and top spot in the Farr 1020 National Championship. 

In the seniors, congratulations to Hamish Hey and helm Phil McNeill for winning the Sanders Cup, and Javelin Skiff Nationals. 

That’s a wrap for 2024.  Club AGM is planned for 23 June 2024 at 3 pm - open to all members and friends of HSC.  Hope to see a good turnout.

Save the dates

Howick Sailing Club hosts

• Starling North Islands 18-19 January 2025
• Starling Nationals 17-21 April 2025