The NZL Yachting Trust is supporting the introduction of the IRC measurement-based rating system. The trust, formed to encourage competitive yachting, believes the IRC will give New Zealand sailors a better base line as the IRC is more widely adopted internationally. The trust will subsidise the full cost of initial
certification for boats up to 12m and contribute $300 for boats over that length. Details on www.yachtingnz.org.nz (see link below).
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A contingent of 11 top Australian marine companies will again be exhibiting at the China International Boat Show in Shanghai, from April 6-9. This is the fifth year the Australian group has had its own pavilion at the show, which targets a growing marine market.
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Weekend Marine's report last week on the Millennium Cup elicited a number of inquiries from readers wanting to know about travel to the superyacht regatta and the America's Cup. The Auckland agency Landmark Travel has made international sailing events a special area of expertise, and has a range of options available for both events. Phone (09) 300 3545. The agency website is being regularly updated at www.landmark.co.nz (see link below).
Water-watch
There's plenty of top-level sailing action scheduled for this weekend, including the Women's Keelboat Championships and the Young 88 Nationals.
Today: Cruising Race (Devonport YC); Burnsco Cruising Race 9 (Gulf Harbour YC); Cruising to Kawau (Weiti BC); Old Fox 7 and Boating Skills Putiki N/E OR S/W Waikalabubu (Westhaven YC).
Today and tomorrow: Young 88 National Championships (RNZYS); National Women's Keelboat Championships (RAYC); Two-handed Weekend (BBYC).
Tomorrow: Flap Martinego Memorial (Richmond YC); Closing day and NZ Etchells (Gulf Harbour YC); Club racing and vintage and veterans race and launch log rally (Ponsonby CC).
Organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register in advance with the Auckland Regional Council on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.
