Hi ,

Welcome to summer. ….. 2020 has been a year not to remember ….not even going to mention the C word.

This year will also mark the loss of a Kiwi yachting icon in Jim Young. The association led the organisation of an on water parade of his designs and we were invited to speak at his memorial service; more info below.

Thanks to the commitment of the committee, owners and crews for getting behind the events and dealing with all the changes since March, overall we have had a pretty full calendar of activity in all three main fleets.

We are also working on securing a new location for the moulds without committing the Association to an unreasonable expense. If you have easily accessible space in the greater Auckland area we would love to hear from you.

The committee also met one Saturday morning in August and had a more strategic look at what we are doing. Still a work in progress but some excellent initiatives came out including a new womens racing series in Auckland and the North's Coaching Sprints Zoom Debriefs

We have another excellent summer lined up with class events and cruising stretching from the Bay of Islands in the North to Lyttleton in the South. As is the way of the 88, truly a one design to do it all.

See you out there

Mike

From the Technical Committee

The Committee has recently embarked on a review of the Young 88 Class Design Rules. The Committee has brought in Alistair Deaves who is a well-respected international measurer and class rules consultant to work with the class Technical Committee on this.

The intention is to assess the layout and drafting of the Rules to make sure that they comply with international best practice for closed one design rules.

This is also an opportunity to resolve any acute recurrent measurement issues and pressure points. An example of this is the standard class stanchion design and location which the Committee has also resolved to review.

The overall aim is to make the Rules more effective and user friendly through being informative and straightforward to apply.

The Committee is very aware of the fact that the boats have a long history, and that there will inevitably be variations. The Committee is determined that any changes must avoid or only cause the minimum of disruption and compliance expense for owners.

On occasion the measurers may exercise their discretion to tag measurement certificates to record that boats have a measurement variation but can continue to race. Members are also reminded that where their boats are damaged and require significant repair or are subject to modification such as a new engine or rig it is essential to involve the class measurers who will review the proposed work for compliance.

This is the second attempt at getting the Nationals away and we have combined with the Owners Champs,. We had 18 entries back in March but have lost some and gained some with current count at a healthy 17 boats. The on and off water programme is full with Briefing Friday night, Crew party Saturday night and Prize giving Dinner Sunday night.

The Ned Womens Series - Ziggy

We launched the inaugural Young 88 women’s division at the beginning of Spring in line with our objective of attracting more women to Young 88 sailing. The Ponsonby Sailing Club had kindly agreed, as part of the Ned Womens’ Spring Series, to have a Young 88 division.

We are still on the lookout for more boats and crews. If you are keen to join the fun email Ziggy

This is the biggest regatta of its kind in New Zealand, and one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier yachting events. The 88 division has a well earned reputation for sailing and partying hard.

Home away from home dedicated Young 88 pier at Opua marina or the ferry marina. Party central.

Race in cruising trim. Lots of us use our boats for cruising and many will be in cruising trim. Logistically difficult to change to boat to race mode (other than sails) so boats can leave on an agreed amount of cruise gear .. squabs, crockery, cutlery, rum, beer

We will be talking to the bloody good fellas at TR Group once again about putting on a big truck to help out with logistics. It’ll take up all the race sails and can safely store the cruising sails for the duration of the regatta.

There is an opportunity to make this jointly BBYC/RNZYS organised regatta even more awesome in 2021.

The Americas cup roadshow and hopefully a whole pile of visiting boats will be in town, it is the RNZYS 150th Anniversary plus the possibility of running it at a new and exciting venue.

PIC Coastal Classic

A challenging and almost unheard of light airs event. Four 88’s were entered this year with Driving Force in the cruising division and Babe, Slipstream and War Machine duking it out on the way to prizegiving. Good fun and perfect windless weather but disappointing to have to withdraw 10 miles short of Brett so we could make it to the party on time!

SSANZ Two-Handed Series

Very close series this year with the third race having to be abandoned due to the untimely reappearance of that virus.

Congrats to Rowan Swanson for first overall line and handicap on debut, second to Brad and Robin Marsh also on debut on Mindbender and Chris Macindoe/Mike Leyland and Zib Campbell for third on War Machine.

This year also saw the mixed doubles crews being formally recognised for the first time with that Prize going to the dynamic duo of Brad and Robin Marsh

Mount Gay 1-2-3 Series

Another series win to Rowan Swanson on Mindbender from Brad Marsh on Danger Zone in second and James Corbett third on Flash Gordon. Handicap results show Voodoo first, Flash Gordon second and Mindbender third

We lost the creator of our iconic design and an NZ yachting legend back in June. The Young 88 Association set up a “Jim Style '' on water parade of his designs. This was followed by a casual memorial function at the RNZYS where we were invited to say a few words on behalf of the class association to acknowledge Jim’s contribution and the hours and hours of fun the Young 88 had given generations of Kiwis.