Young 88

⛵ Enjoy close and competitive one-design keelboat racing? We need YOU to crew! ⛵

The Young 88 Class has always had an active race fleet. But the age-old barrier to getting more entries is always: "I can't get crew." We know there are plenty of keen sailors out there doing training courses, posting in forums, and walking the docks looking for spots.

To bridge the gap, we are trialing the mysail.team app with a part of the fleet to build a bigger crew pool and make boat-matching a breeze.

🕒 First up opportunity: TOMORROW'S Windward-Leeward Racing with Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS)!

PredictWind has promised 😉 ideal conditions for this quick-fire, three-race format on the waters adjacent to Westhaven Marina.

* Time: Need to be aboard around 12:00 PM

* The Vibe: Fast-paced, close, and fun

* Requirements: Some race experience, plus a reasonable degree of fitness and agility

* Can't make it tomorrow, sign up anyway and you will be in the pool for future events

👇 How to grab a spot:
1️⃣ The Tech Way (Preferred): Click the link below, click the person icon (left side, under the photo) to sign up/sign on. Note: Please include "Young 88 Association NZ" in your profile club list!
🔗 https://app.mysail.team/series/5949/y88s-rnzys-winter-windward-leeward-series

2️⃣ The Old School Way: Can't deal with the tech? No worries you have options. Message this page directly, leave your contact details in the comments below or complete the contact form at https://www.young88.org.nz/contact. Our volunteers will do their best to match you up.

Want more event details?
👉 Young 88 Event Info: https://www.young88.org.nz/events/354706
👉 RNZYS Host Club Page: https://rnzys.org.nz/sailing/winterseries/

Congrats to Jeremy one of our own Young 88ers taking out the Grand Prix title at Richmond Yacht Club

Iconic Young 88 Racing for Round 1 of the SSANZ Lewmar 2 Handed Triple Series

THE BREAKDOWN
The perfect forecast turned into a better day with a light to moderate Southerly and clear blue skies. The fleet was led off the line by Grey Goose with everyone in a slow-mo with shy kites trying to minimise the damage from the bigger boats sailing through to weather.

The breeze filled as the fleet squared away through the Motuihe channel, making a left turn at Motutapu, heading across the North side of Rangitoto to Torbay Buoy

The whole race featured the usual close sailing, evidenced by the finishes only minutes apart after 8 hours of sailing and the woulda/shoulda/coulda conversations back at the dock. Babe's Gavin Haslip showed off his camera skills to highlight four boats running line abreast within metres of each other.

Grey Goose, Flash Gordon and War Machine swapped the lead, ducking and diving down the east side of Motutapu, with Skitzo making the most of the antics to catch up. The park up on the corner in the lee of the island saw War Machine do a "Buffalo Girls" round the outside to start the long reach in front to leeward.

Flash Gordon put the afterburners on, closely followed by Skitzo, to sail over the top and were first to hoist for the almost square run down to Navy Buoy off Tiri.

RESULTS:
That is how it stayed at the front for the duration of the race, with Karyn and Dean first on Flash, followed by Bicky and Tom on Skitzo in second and Paul and Mike on War Machine in third.

Johnny had done a great job on Satellite to stay in touch all the way around the track. They put the frighteners on the boys on War Machine with an amazing burst of speed in the light air on the way to the finish. Satellite ended up "nailing their number" with a well-deserved first on corrected time, followed by Time Out and Smokey.

See attached screenshot or the results link on The Young 88 event page for all the numbers https://www.young88.org.nz/events/351801

DEBRIEF:
Racing was followed by after-match "rum 'n' dogs" at the various marinas. The specially designed and built open-air "88 Bar Lima" on L Pier at Westhaven lived up to its brief as a central hub for the city racing fleet. Thanks to Young 88 Secretary Nick for his catering skills in setting up the BBQ at the last minute when the stars aligned.

Special thanks also to the volunteers and organisers at The Shorthanded Sailing Association of New Zealand, plus our divisions' sponsors Lewmar and Musto.

Next up, race 2, in four weeks. Grab yourself an 88 and get to the start line to join the fun. More info, entry links etc here

https://www.young88.org.nz/events/351801

and

https://www.ssanz.co.nz/triple-series-2026/

Reminder: 3 Handed Regatta next Sunday - The NZ Rum Co 1-2-3 Series.

Hi all,

The PredictWind long-range models are looking good for the most fun 3-handed regatta.

We have nine series entries and are hoping to boost that up with some more for the 3-handed.

Racing is followed by "bar karate" and prize giving back at the hosts, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.

Get your entries in at this link https://www.young88.org.nz/events/register/351799

For more info and other useful links, go here https://www.young88.org.nz/events/351799

See you on the water

Perfect day for some perfectly challenging winter windward leeward racing with Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) .

5 - 15 from 260 - 310. Typical random Auckland Westerly!

2 in one to go. Flash in front but it's close!