From the CEO

GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUPPORT OF

MAJOR PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS

MASTERCARD YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME SPONSORS

RNZYS PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME SPONSORS

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CORPORATE MEMBERS

FROM THE COMMODORE

As I write this, the club has just opened the facility for the first time in nearly four months. What a relief it was to see the club buzzing again, racing on again and happy people in the Members’ Bar (albeit with masks!). Financially, we have suffered with no trading income, yet many fixed costs remained. However, through this we have seen the club’s adaptability and agility with online e-sailing, online auctions, online coaching, seminars and quiz nights. The staff, ably led by Hayden Porter, have remained engaged and committed; the Flag Officers have continued to meet weekly; the General Committee has met at least monthly. We have all become used to the new normal of online meetings and not knowing what was coming next, but perhaps the most frustrating thing was being unable to do what we are here for – club sailing and member events.

However, we should not forget what we have achieved this year as a club – and it has been significant. Our business as usual saw over 1200 keelboat races run, Squadron Weekend, Club Picnic, Easter Rally, Learn to Sail and training camps set to start.

Unique to this year were the Mastercard Superyacht Regatta; two attempts at the inaugural Bridge to Bean Dinghy Race (third time lucky on December 19), the RNZYS course marshalling programme and, of course, ETNZ again winning the America’s Cup representing our club.

We have seen a steady membership retained, despite increasing financial pressure on many. Ultimately the club exists for members, so please be sure to support your club by using the facilities and benefits that are there for you.

Our 150th publication Salt in our Blood by Ivor Wilkins has been released and is an absolutely fantastic book for your summer holidays. We have just completed this first stage of a multiyear project of the Kawau tree planting and reforestation project – a huge thanks to the staff and volunteers, who helped do the hard manual work of digging and planting. The support here, both financially and in kind has been humbling.

Speaking with Sir Michael Fay earlier in the year at the America’s Cup Hall of Fame dinner, he said “The America’s Cup is not a normal regatta; it’s the America’s Cup.” Despite being involved since 2017 in Bermuda (then as Rear Commodore), it took me a while to really understand this.

A few key things stand out though: the club has a team, ETNZ, which has represented us (pretty successfully too) for over 25 years and given us the opportunity to be the home of the America’s Cup. It is not, however, our responsibility, or right as trustee or custodian to dictate, or make decisions that are in the team’s domain.

The RNZYS has many teams that represent us proudly at sailing events and regattas worldwide where likewise we are not involved in every detail.

Now more than ever, the America’s Cup is totally commercial and professional and well beyond any yacht club’s everyday activities.

That is where agreements and relationships between club and team are key, and I can say that the America’s Cup Committee has worked very hard to nurture this delicate balance, along with our relationship with the Royal Yacht Squadron as our Challenger of Record for AC37.

With the thousands of hours spent on this, we have had some pretty robust discussions and healthy debates, but one thing remains – the club wholeheartedly supports our team, which has won the oldest trophy in international sport sailing under our burgee.

We only have to look at the unfortunate circumstances at New York Yacht Club to see how the America’s Cup can divide. Let’s support our team to give our club the best chance to keep the trophy upstairs in our collection.

We are about to have our 2021 AGM and your new Committee has been elected. Be assured they have the best interests of this club at heart. We share our thanks to Jonty Cullinane and Peter Boardman, who leave the committee this year after both giving a lot back. Jonty, with a law and finance background, has always offered an alternative and challenging perspective. Peter, who has seen his Kawau project come to fruition after 12 years, can leave satisfied with what he has helped achieve.

The General Committee is elected by members and I am very thankful for the effort and time they put back into our club, supporting our objective of Corinthian yachting to achieve our vision of being the leading yacht club in the world.

Finally, the AGM also gives us a chance to recognise two members who have gone beyond for the club. Richard Wingfield has always been a huge support for me in the last few years in all things America’s Cup, but far more than that has been heavily involved in club race management, the AC course marshalling program, the Volvo Ocean races, and even caretaker GM a few years back. Richard, I thank you and congratulate you on a well-deserved Service Award.

Colin Carran, most recently chair of our 150th Committee, is a Young 88 Association life member and also spent 12 years on the General Committee supporting so many Past Commodores through their respective tenures. As Major Projects chair for many years, Colin has always been a big thinker and, in fact, the Kawau projects started with him many years ago.

There are very few like Colin, who is happy to come up with an idea, yet somehow bring it to reality without seeking undue attention. Colin’s contribution is recognised with a thoroughly deserved and perhaps overdue RNZYS Life Membership. Sincere congratulations to an unsung hero of the club.

Thank you to each and every one of you who has supported me, the General Committee and the club through such tricky times. It’s been a very memorable year and I am proud of what has been achieved in such unique circumstances. Merry Christmas, I wish you all a safe and happy summer holiday. See you all in 2022.

Aaron Young Commodore

Thinking of selling your boat?

As a result of a big sales year, we continually require new listings. Our sales team has a great record of success and is standing by to provide professional and attentive service in marketing your vessel. Ask about the RNZYS member discount.