It is with regret that the NZIODA committee has made the difficult decision NOT to send New Zealand teams to both the Optimist European Championship to be held in Cadiz, Spain from June 20-27, 2021, the Optimist World Championship, to be held in Riva del Garda, Italy, from the 30 June to 11 July, 2021 and the Japanese Friendship Regatta
This is due to the on-going situation that the world faces with the Covid 19 Pandemic. New Zealanders are currently being told not to travel overseas at this time. This advice from the government, as well as not being able to re-enter our country easily, an inability to get insurance for travel, and not being able to employ coaches to travel with teams, has made this decision necessary.
We are aware that this will be very disappointing news for many of our young sailors and we are working behind the scenes to create other exciting opportunities such as development training clinics and the potential for Trans-Tasman sailing opportunities if this becomes possible in the future.
As the Asian/Oceanic and Noumea Regattas happen later this year in October, we are deferring the decision on whether it will be possible to send teams to these events until closer to the time.
NZIODA Committee
Selection Criteria for NZ Optimist Sailing Team
Important Information:
It is with regret that the NZIODA committee has made the difficult decision NOT to send New Zealand teams to both the Optimist European Championship to be held in Cadiz, Spain from June 20-27, 2021, the Optimist World Championship, to be held in Riva del Garda, Italy, from the 30 June to 11 July, 2021 and the Japan Friendship Regatta.
This is due to the on-going situation that the world faces with the Covid 19 Pandemic. New Zealanders are currently being told not to travel overseas at this time. This advice from the government, as well as not being able to re-enter our country easily, an inability to get insurance for travel, and not being able to employ coaches to travel with teams, has made this decision necessary.
We are aware that this will be very disappointing news for many of our young sailors and we are working behind the scenes to create other exciting opportunities such as development training clinics and the potential for Trans-Tasman sailing opportunities if this becomes possible in the future.
As the Asian/Oceanic and Noumea Regattas happen later this year in October, we are deferring the decision on whether it will be possible to send teams to these events until closer to the time.
NZIODA Committee
At the 2021 TOYOTA Optimist Nationals, NZIODA will announce the Top 25 Ranked Sailors and the 2021 Optimist Worlds Team. All other Travelling Teams will be announced at a later date once Teams have been confirmed.
Selection for 2021 is as follows:
| Regatta | Allocated Places |
| IODA Worlds | Top 5 ranked sailors |
| IODA Europeans | Next top 4 ranked sailors (must include 1 from the opposite gender) |
| IODA Asians | Next top 10 ranked sailors (must include 3 from the opposite gender) |
| Noumean Development Squad | Top 5 twelve year olds and top 5 eleven year olds based on National Championship Results. NOTE: Sailors can only go once to a development squad and if are or have previously been selected for an NZIODA travelling team they will not be eligible for a development squad. |
| Girls Development Squad | Up to 12 top ranked Girls inside #100 Ranking to compete in New Caledonian Nationals, Noumea. NOTE: The Girls Development Squad takes precedence over the Noumean Development Squad. |
| Renaissance Junior Gold Cup, Bermuda | Top Ranked Sailor – This regatta is also by invitation from the organisers who may stipulate other criteria |
Renaissance Junior Gold Cup, Bermuda
Please note that the Committee will determine whether it is feasible to attend due to COVID 19 as developments unfold.
| Dates: | 2021 Dates to be confirmed (typically 1st week in May) |
| Venue: | Royal Bermuda Yacht Club |
| Sailors: | 1st Girl or 1st Boy ranked after NZIODA Nationals for the season 2020/2021 dependent upon criteria set by Royal Bermuda Yacht Club |
| Coach: | No coach |
| Manager: | Parent of sailor |
2021 marks the 19th year that Renaissance Reinsurance has sponsored the prestigious Junior Gold Cup in Bermuda.
Entry to the Renaissance Junior Gold Cup if by invitation from the regatta organisers.
This event is run in conjunction with the Argo Group Gold Cup professional World Match Racing Tour event, this mini “world cup” invitational brings some of the most accomplished youth sailors from around the world to Bermuda for a youth sailing event contested in International Optimist dinghies.
Renaissance Reinsurance provides in conjunction with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club provides coaching, charter boats and equipment for competing. Sailors representing North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Caribbean attend.
Once in Bermuda local families host the young sailors. The backdrop of the Argo Group Gold Cup match racing event running concurrently with the youth event provides the real bonus for all the kids entered in the regatta with the young sailors attending the dailThe Renaissance Re Junior Gold Cup will conduct four fleet races per day on Great Sound. The event is run by volunteers from RBYC and BODA. The final day usually sees the championship sailed on Hamilton Harbour during the final rounds of the Argo Group Gold Cup if time and conditions allow.
NZ Optimist Sailors:
| Year | Sailor | Rank | |
| 2021 | |||
| 2020 | Joe Leith – Qualified MBSC | N/A | |
| 2019 | George Lee Rush WBC | 1st | |
| 2018 | Lucy Leith MBSC | 21st | |
| 2017 | George Lee Rush WBC | tbc | |
| 2016 | Joshua Hyde WBC | 20th | |
| 2015 | Robbie McCutcheon WBC | 12th | |
| 2014 | Jordan Stevenson WBC | 16th | |
| 2013 | Henry Haslett WBC | 26th | |
| 2012 | Leonard Tukahashi-Fry MBSC | 4th | |
| 2011 | Leonard Tukahashi-Fry MBSC | 11th | |
| 2010 | Olivia MacKay NSC | 3rd | |
| 2009 | No results found | ||
| 2010 | Olivia MacKay NSC | 13th | |
Past NZ Optimist Sailing Teams – IODA Events
2020
Sailors qualified but unable to attend due to COVID19
| Worlds | Joe Leith, Sean Kensington, Noah Shirley, Jasper Camenzind, Noah Malpot | Italy |
| European Championship | Alex Norman, Will Leech, Louie Poletti, Hermione Aris | Estonia |
| North America’s Team | Tom Rebbeck, Fred Burrage, Valentine Kayrouz, Tom Pilkington | Mexico |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | Oli Stone, Miro Luxford, Liam Richards, Winston Liesebach, Joshua Ferrissey, Ben Catton, Cameron Brown, Charlotte Palmer, Nicola Hume, Jessica Redpath | Sri Lanka |
2019
| Worlds | George Lee-Rush, Lucas Day, Harrison Loretz, Hugo McMullen, Amelia Angus | English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda |
| European Championship | Noah Malpot , Noah Shirley, Rowan Kensington, Vivian Webster-Chung | Crozon-Morgat, France |
| North America’s Team | Valentine Kayrouz, Jasper Camenzind, Tian Lo, Louie Poletti | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | Alex Norman, Sean Kensington, Liam Richards, Joe Leith, Ashton Williamson, Ethan Fong, Fred Burrage, Hermione Aris, Isabelle Letcher, Charlotte Palmer | Mussanah Sport City, Oman |
2018
| Worlds | George Lee-Rush, Joshua Hyde, Amelia Angus, Mason Mulcahy, Hugo McMullen | Famagusta Nautical Club, Cyprus |
| European Championship | Lucas Day, Robbie Wooldridge, George Pilkington, Naiomi Ferrissey | Sheveningen, Netherlands |
| North America’s Team | Ned Bacon, Lucy Leith, Noah Shirley, Stella Bilger | Singapore |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | Tom Pilkington, Harrison Loretz, Sean Sun, Nicholas Drummond, Jasper Camenzind, Noah Malpot, Hermione Aris, Katie Hadfield, Teaghan Denny, Isabelle Lecher, Zachary Fong | Ngwe Saung YC & Resort, Myanmar |
2017
| Worlds | Seb Menzies, David Buchanan, Monty Alderson, Josh Gilmore, George Lee-Rush | Royal Varuna Yacht Club Thailand |
| European Championship | Mason Mulcahy, Josh Hyde, Thomas Mulcahy, Greta Pilkington | Yacht Club Port Bourgas Bulgaria |
| North America’s Team | Lizzie Shapland, Robbie Wooldridge, Brayden Hamilton, Nathan Vince, Luc Gladwell | Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto. Canada |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | William Beauchamp, Jordan Dakins, George Pilkington, Max Scott, Sean Sun, Freddy Wright, Ruby Baynes, Amelia Angus, Sydney Cunliffe, Carrington Brady | Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Hong Kong |
2016
| Worlds | Henry Wilson, Campbell Stanton, Gavin Ninnes, David Buchanan, Seb Menzies | Portugal |
| North America’s Team | Thomas Mulcahy, Sophia Fyfe, Josh Schon, George Lee-Rush, Caleb Armit, Will Hadfield | English Harbour, Antigua |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | Luke Cashmore, Robbie McCutcheon, Brayden Hamilton, Ashton Guy, Greta Pilkington, Rebecca Morgan, Joel Kennedy, Harry Edwards, Emily Overend, Lachlan Dillon | Trincomalee, Sri Lanka |
2015
| Worlds | Sebastian Lardies, Sam Bacon, Craig Keenan, William Shapland, Sam Morgan | Poland |
| European Championship | Robbie McCutcheon, Oliver Cowley, Pat Morgan, Ben Paterson, Alice Haslett | Italy |
| North America’s Team | Zachary Scheiwe, Albert Stanley, Josh Berry, Francesco Kayrouz | TBC |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | Campbell Stanton, Henry Wilson, Ben Nathan, Will Wright, Harry Corston, James Barnett, Ben Baynes, Nina Mannering, Emily Overend, Kaya Tobin | Qatar |
2014
| Worlds | Scott McKenzie, Sam Bacon, Lewis Anderson, Jackson Keon, Kerensa Jennings | Argentina |
| European Championship | Sam Morgan, Jonathon Weston, Sebastian Lardies, Greta Stewar | Ireland |
| North America’s Team | Jordan Stevenson, Pat Morgan, William Shapland, Josh Armit, Craig Keenan, Xanthe Copeland | Mexico |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | Albert Stanley, Robbie McCutcheon, Jack Tripe Joshua Berry, Campbell Stanton, Nina Mannering, Tess Paterson | Bahrain |
2013
| Worlds | Nick Egnot-Johnson, Alastair Gifford, Henry Haslett, Leonard Takahashi, Jackson Keon | Italy |
2012
| Worlds | Leonard Takahashi, Tim Adair, Isaac McHardie, William McKenzie, Cameron Moss | Dominican Republic |
2009
| Worlds | Taylor Burn, Naomi Mannering, Erica Dawson, Keith Inglis, Jack Collinson | Brazil |
| North America’s Team | Jayvee Buchanan, Trent Rippey, Olivia McKay, Mahia Pepper | Dom. Republic |
| European Championship | Charlotte Corston, Oscar Rorvik, Ryan Amlehn, Ben Caundle | Slovenia |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | William Linkhorn, Liam Banks, Liam Closey, Jamie Middleton, Ellie Copeland, Markus Somerville, Michael Hayton | Malaysia |
2008
| Worlds | Logan Dunning Beck, Sam Mackay, Andrew McKenzie, Erica Dawson, Naomi Mannering | Turkey |
| European Championship | Jayvee Buchannan, Vicki Callinicos, Alex Munro, Henry Wilkinson | Lake Garda |
| North America’s Team | Keith Inglis, Olivia Mackay, Nicholas Gunn, Alex Dyett | Curacau |
| Asian & Oceanian Team | Taylor Burn, Jack Collinson, Alice Noyer, James Roberts, Charlotte Corston, Trent Rippey, Cole Rippey | Qatar |
2007
| Worlds | Logan Dunning-Beck, James Turner, Alexander Maloney, Chris Steele, Sam Mackay (Andrew McKenzie withdrew with an injury) | Uruguary |
| North America’s Team | Sam Mckenzie, Ashleigh Lamberg, Naomi Mannering, Tomer Simhony, Paul Hazard (Marcus Hansen withdrew) | Mexico |
2006
| Worlds | Marcus Hansen, Chris Steele, Luca Hyatt-Brown, Thomas Saunders, Jamie Dawson | Uruguay |
| North America’s Team | Alexandra Maloney, Logan Dunning-Beck, George Kool, James Turner | Porto Rico |
NZIODA Girls Development Squad (GDS)
This started as a new initiative by NZIODA in approximately 2015 the GDS team and has gone from strength to strength. Now in its 6th year the aim of this squad is to provide the top 10-12 girls ranked in the top 100 a chance to race and make friends with other female sailors around New Zealand and further afield. The squad has proven to be one of NZIODA’s success tories in producing marked gains in skills and lasting relationships among sailors. There is a high percentage of Girls who have participated in GDS who go onto represent NZ at IODA events and are still strongly supported by NZIODA at seasons end, even when anticipating moving out of the class.
Currently the team now travels annually to Noumea for the Noumean Nationals in October. The team bases itself out of Casa del Sole.
Indicative cost for travel is around $5,000.00 to $6,000.
The team manager and coaches put together a programme of activities from the end of Nationals through to the team departing.
| 2020 | Unable to attend due to Covid 19: Hermione Aris Murrays Bay SC, Charlotte Palmer Charteris Bay YC, Nicola Hume Murrays Bay SC, Jessica Redpath Murrays Bay SC, Tessa Clinton Wakatere BC, Chloe Armstrong Worser Bay BC, Zoe Mains Glendowie BC, Hannah Williamson Wakatere BC, Kelly Su Kohimaramara / Royal Akarana YC, Katie Mulcahy Murrays Bay SC – Coaches – Xanthe Copeland and Olivia Christie |
| 2019 Noumea | Katie Mulcahy, Freya Caisley, Jess Redpath, Chloe Armstrong, Eden Amos, Miya Prescott, Tessa Thornley, Frances Wright, Zoe Mains, Isabel Shannon |
| 2018 Hobart | Hermione Aris, Lucy Leith, Izzy Lecher, Vivien Webster-Cheung, Teagan Denney, Niamh Shannon |
| 2017 Sydney | Hermione Aris, Lucy Leith, Katie Hadfield, Grace Still, Teagan Denney, Stella Bilger |
| 2016 Melbourne | Greta Pilkington, Lizzie Shaplan, Chloe Boyce, Sydney Cunliffe, Helena Sanderson, Annabel Limbrick, Ella Wilcox, Ruby Baynes, Sophia Higgott, Stella Bilger |
NZIODA Development Squad
The team now travels annually to Noumea for the Noumean Championships in October. The team bases itself out of Casa del Sole.
Indicative cost for travel is around $5,000.00 to $6,000.
The team manager and coaches put together a programme of activities from the end of Nationals through to the team departing.
2020 12 Year Olds: Unable to attend due to Covid19: Moss Hopkins Queen Charlotte YC, Harry Shannon Wakatere BC, Leo Brown Royal Akarana YC, Hayden Chisholm Charteris Bay YC, Andrew Jensen Torbay SC – Coaches – Henry Gautry and Peter Soosalu |
| 11 Year Olds: Unable to attend due to Covid19: Nelsen Meacham Wakatere BC, Louis Quere Royal Akarana YC, Ashton Cooke Kohimaramara YC, Nathan Soper (Aged 9) Charteris Bay YC, Lucy Luxford Charteris Bay YC – Coaches – Henry Gautry and Peter Soosalu |
| 2019 12 Year Olds: Miro Luxford, Sam Clarke, Joshua Ferrissey, Marcel van der Voot, Jed Potbury |
| 11 Year Olds: Ben Catton, Will Leech, Blake McKinnon, William Mason, Oli Stone |
| 2018 Joe Leith (1st U13) 4th overall, Sean Kensington (2nd U13) 5th overall, Cam Brown (3rd U13) 8th overall, Jack Parr, Tom Rebbeck, Louie Polletti, George Cole Baker, Alex Norman, Karl Mashall, Danni Wooldridge |
| 2017 Lucas Day, Rowan Kensington, Noah Shirley, Naoimi Ferrisey, Robbie Woolridge, Jasper Camenzind, Alex Norman, Louie Poletti, River Hopkins, George Cole-Baker |
| 2016 Sean Sun, Suede Cowley, Wilbur Stanley, Luc Gladwell, Luke Armstrong, Robbie Woolridge, Lizzie Shapland, Amelia Angus, George Pilkington, Ned Bacon |
| 2015 Thomas Mulcahy, Mason Mulcahy, Josh Hyde, Nathan Vince, Suede Cowley, Luke Armstrong, Luke Cameron Smith, Monty Alderson, Tim Roper, Josh Schon |
Uniforms
NZIODA are working with suppliers to provide an on-line service this coming season. Details will be posted once available.
All sailors need to be registered before 1st October 2020 for the upcoming season to qualify for representing NZ in one of the many teams.