Whanganui sailors on northern water

Whanganui's Caleb Squire sailed his way into third at the New Zealand Winter O'Pen Bic Regatta at Manly Beach, on the Whangaparoa Peninsula. Photo/Sarah Lourie

Four young Whanganui sailors kept their heads well above water at a national regatta in Auckland under the watchful eye of one of the all-time greats, Sir Russell Coutts.

Representing the Sailing Wanganui Club the four headed to Manly Beach, on the Whangaparoa Peninsula north of Auckland, for the 2017 New Zealand Winter O'Pen Bic Regatta.

There were 87 sailors from throughout New Zealand, Australia and Rarotonga entered across three fleets launched on July 5.

Luke Squire, Caleb Squire and Eli Kuhne from Brunswick School and Leo Jones from Kai Iwi School all entered the Silver Fleet. They were chaperoned on the trip by club members Maree Squire and Sarah Lourie.

A one-design junior regatta sailed in the modern O'Pen Bic sailing skiff, was conceived by Sir Russell Coutts and this was the regatta's second year.

The planned coaching day on Thursday was cancelled to allow the sailors and their families time to check out the parade for Team New Zealand.

The Bronze fleet sailed in the more sheltered waters off Manly Beach while the Silver and Gold Fleets ventured further out. Over the three days the Silver and Gold sailors completed 10 races including a two hour long marathon race.

On the water, top New Zealand sailors Sir Russell, Barry Thoms and Hayden Whitburn were able to give some advice and keep an eye on the young yachtsmen in the two higher grades while former Australian Olympic coach Erik Stibbe guided the Bronze Fleet.

When the racing points were tallied the young Wanganui club sailors had acquitted themselves extremely well.

In the Silver Fleet Caleb Squire came third while his twin brother Luke came fourth, Eli Kuhne was placed 17th and Leo Jones 18th.

Sailing Wanganui is acquiring four more O'Pen Bic yachts which will take their number to 10 and it is hoped that more youngsters from Wanganui will take up the sport over the coming season.

Lourie was fortunate to spend the time on Sir Russell' boat taking photos and watching him and the regatta first hand.

"He a very knowledgeable guy who is doing wonders for junior sailing in New Zealand. Maree worked on the committee boat recording sail numbers as they crossed the line - quite a challenging job with identical boats and large numbers of kids on the water," Lourie said.