Young New Zealand Laser sailor wins at CORK Regatta

by Jodie Bakewell-White, Yachting NZ on 20 Aug 2010
2010 recipient of the Yachting New Zealand CORK Rotary Scholarship, Nic Croft, has won the Laser Radial class at CORK International Regatta.

The young New Zealander, from Manly Sailing Club, took out the class with a five point leading margin from his nearest competitor in the fleet which totalled close to 170 Laser Radials.

'I understand the weather has been breezy most of the time,' says Yachting New Zealand's Youth Head Coach Ian Neely.

'Nic finished the last day of gold fleet with results of second, first and first – it is great to see him perform when it matters most,' continues Neely.

'This regatta forms as an excellent build up to the coming season where he hopes to win the youth trials for the ISAF youth worlds.'

Nic will now move onto the second regatta in the trip which will be the CORK Olympic classes event from the 27th to the 29th August.

The St Johns Rotary Trust each year supports a young New Zealand youth sailor to attend CORK (Canadian Olympic Regatta, Kingston). The Regatta is held in August each year, and sailors compete in both a youth and open regatta.

Since 1996, over fifteen New Zealand sailors have benefited from the exposure to the intensive international competition in the Youth and Open Classes that CORK provides. As a result of the CORK involvement a close liaison has been established with Rotarian families in Kingston who provide accommodation, encouragement and oversight to the young sailors that travel by themselves to Canada each year.

Regatta website: www.cork.org