Report: New Zealand Secondary Schools Yachting Team Racing Championships

During the second week of the Term 1 holidays, the School’s Yachting team, led by captain S. W. Kensington, headed to New Plymouth to compete at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Yachting Team Racing Championships.

Off the back of a fantastic campaign at the Auckland Regional Championships, the team had a fantastic first day of competition, dominating the first round robin without a single defeat, securing a commanding two-win lead amidst brisk conditions. Despite facing challenges in the subsequent round robin with lighter and more variable breezes, the Yachting team maintained their lead, conceding just two races.

On the final day of competition, the team needed just four wins out of seven to secure the title, which they accomplished with two races to spare, to be crowned the 2024 National Champions. The win also earned them a spot in the upcoming Inter Dominion Championships, pitting them against teams from Australia. Their flawless season record also stands as a historic milestone for the team, unparalleled in their history.

Congratulations to the team who crossed stage this morning to receive their trophy and the School’s congratulations – Form 4 student H. G. Smith, Form 5 students A. B. Cooke, T. G. E. Pilkington, O. J. Stone and G. R. J. Turner, Form 6 student M. X. M. Porteous and captain S. W. Kensington, led by Master in Charge L. Sweeney.