Former coach Godbert reminisces about Kerikeri sailing crew

Legendary sailing coach Derry Godbert trained several of the Team NZ crew. Photo/Peter de Graaf

Derry Godbert felt a sense of pride come over him as Team New Zealand crossed the line to clinch the America's Cup.

The sailing coach played a part in the development of two of the team's key components in the victory, Blair Tuke and Peter Burling, while also seeing cyclor Andy Maloney come through the ranks.

Godbert said it was great to see Tuke claim yachting's ultimate prize, even if the sport wasn't his initial focus.

"I remember when he joined the [Kerikeri Yachting] Club as a 10-year-old and he was more into wakeboarding than sailing," he said. "He was a pleasant young bloke.

"When he left school he took a team to the ISAF Team Worlds in Perth and he organised. They picked up a silver medal against the Aussies.

"He's a really neat young guy managing sailing very efficiently."

Tuke wasn't the only champion sailor that came through the Kerikeri Yachting Club.

"Andy Maloney spent three years up here sailing for the school team and he performed really well," he said.

Godbert was also involved with the rise of helmsman Peter Burling.

"I've known Pete for many years. I coached him in Tauranga way back when he was a team sailor at high school," he said.

"Peter and Richard [Peter's dad] used to spend hours racing each other in foiling moths. Richard's just a fantastic influence.

"It's lovely to see these young people coming through and doing so well."

Godbert understands the importance of a well-oiled team unit who all get along after all his years as a sailing coach. He said the team atmosphere was very present amongst the Team NZ squad.

"The one thing I really enjoyed is you saw them sailing well and then on the shore, weren't they a neat bunch?" he said. "You could really enjoy being on their side."