The inaugural Burnsco SKUD18 International Match Racing Challenge at Royal NZ Yacht Squadron in Auckland has been lauded as a huge success.

The brainchild of NZ sailor Paul Wager saw 10 teams from New Zealand and Australia take part in a whole week of activities, with a Russian duo unable to secure visas in time to attend. The week started with a visit to the SailGP site as guests of the Swiss sail GP team as they prepared for their own racing the weekend before. Sailors and supporters were given a behind-the-scenes look at the boats and equipment and met Australian sailors Tom Slingsby and Glenn Ashby. The pair generously posed for photos and signed a SKUD18 regatta shirt, which was later put up for auction at the regatta dinner.

Off the water, there was an opportunity for sailors and their supporters to check out a fully accessible motor home, named Charly, provided by another sponsor, Milner Mobility. For those wanting to hone their skills off the water, sailors had the chance to ‘sail’ using the VR technology of MarineVerse. Multiple options are available in this virtual reality platform, from instruction for beginners to racing in multiple boats – including the Hansa 303 – in locations such as Sydney Harbour, Rio, Enoshima and Cape Town. You can find out more about VR sailing with MarineVerse here. Sailors also had the chance to find out more about Para Wing Foiling, with a display of gear provided by Underground Surf NZ.

Racing took place in a Swiss draw format, which saw competitors with similar scores paired in each round, avoiding early elimination and facilitating competitive matches, with pairings based on win-loss records, with the draw being updated after each round.  Sailors switched boats between races, ensuring the on-shore crews acted like a pit lane tyre change crew, ensuring boats, slings and wheelchairs were all managed in the fastest time possible to get the sailors back out onto the water. A few boat breakages were handled by the experienced team of Finn, Robs and Steve.

At the end of racing, NZ pair Graham Hook and Darrell Smith took out the title from Australians, Naomi Ooue and Joe Thompson, with fellow Queenslanders Neil Rowsthorn and Jack Wallace in third place.

A great range of posts, including sailor profiles, videos and pictures are available on the Sailability Auckland Facebook page.

The event was supported by Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, Ponsonby Cruising Club, Sailability Auckland, Writeon Signs, Yotti, Dosh, First Mates Last Laugh, Drake Medox and Permobil.

Discussions have already begun for a rematch in Australia in 2027. Watch this space!

Event website including results