From the Commodore

Well, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is still home to the America’s Cup, following a successful defence by our representative team, Emirates Team New Zealand. Firstly my sincere congratulations to the team, a huge effort over the last three and a half years. But we must also acknowledge Auckland city for the great summer we have had allowing us to celebrate our 150th year.

My thanks to so many volunteers throughout this period from club hosts; to the on-water course marshals, who committed so many 12-hour days to this event. The on-water Marshal Programme was led so ably by Miranda Farr and Laurie Jury. Thanks also to our whole group of wonderful staff. In the club’s busiest time in history, the effort and commitment by every single person and led by Hayden Porter has been exemplary. To the General Committee and fellow Flag Officers – a big thank you for your support.

We managed to complete the Mastercard Superyacht Regatta in time for the last lockdown, albeit only with three hours to spare, so we were very fortunate. What an amazing week – club buzzing every day and one of the best after-parties I have ever experienced in our club. Judging by the number of requests we have received, we may need to consider this event again next year!

Speaking with Sir Michael Fay recently, he reminded me that “the America’s Cup is not a normal regatta . . . it’s the America’s Cup.” I was truly honoured to co-host the recent America’s Cup Hall of Fame dinner with Bruno Troublé, where club Life Member PJ Montgomery MBE was inducted. The dinner doubled as the final formal act of AC36, so it was very fitting to have this amazing event in our ballroom.

With such a memorable summer now almost behind us, we look forward to what the next America’s Cup may bring. Before that, though, it is important for us as a club to acknowledge Prada and also their team and club, CVS. The disappointment on their faces at the prizegiving ceremony was clear to me, but I think they can hold their heads very high. They left our club taking away the Pell Trophy and Thomas Lipton Cup as the winning challenger.

I was on board Matteo De Nora’s Imagine for the last two days of AC36 in preparation for accepting a challenge for AC37 from the Royal Yacht Squadron in the UK. We had built a strong relationship with the group over recent months and thankfully all went to plan on that unforgettable Wednesday afternoon.

It was more relief for me after so many years working on AC36, mostly behind the scenes. Following Te Rehutai up the harbour on the chaseboat after the final race, with so many boats and people on the water, was something I won’t ever forget. Having been in Bermuda as Rear Commodore in 2017, that was simply great fun, but defending as the host club certainly had a different feeling to it.

The RNZYS America’s Cup committee continue to work together with ETNZ and the COR with what lies ahead. As I write this, it is early days, but the RNZYS will, as Trustee, fulfil all obligations and duties around the America’s Cup in accordance with the Deed of Gift.

We are contractually committed to ETNZ as they are to us and the New Zealand Government has a 90-day exclusive negotiation period with the team. We must also understand that as a club we need our team to represent us, and commercially the world is now a different place than a few years ago.

Financially, the club continues to be strong with what I believe was our busiest day ever on March 17th. The North Lawn has also proved a summer success giving members another space to enjoy.

Operationally, the club continues to achieve our vision of being the world’s leading yacht club. In the first three months of our 150th year, I am sure members will agree with me that we are well on our way to accomplishing this vision.

As part of our 150th year, the inaugural Barfoot and Thompson Bridge to Bean Race should also be a spectacle on Saturday April 17, after being postponed. If you, or anyone you know, has a sailing dinghy, we would love to see you involved in our “Round the Bays” on the water. We still have the 36 Degrees Brokers Squadron Picnic, the Easter Rally and winter sailing, or cruising to look forward to.

It has been an amazing summer culminating in an America’s Cup victory we have been so fortunate to be part of in Auckland. See you back out on the water soon.

Aaron Young Commodore

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