Kiwi Sailors Aim To Reach The Top At Youth Worlds

This week, we can see some of the country’s most talented sailors compete in the United States at the youth sailing world championships. The competition is the pinnacle event for sailors of New Zealand since the first event that took place in 1971 has already won them 51 medals out of which 16 are gold, 18 are silver and 17 are bronze.

Some of the top sailors of New Zealand in the past have achieved titles at the same level and some of the names include Tom Ashley, Dean Barker, Russell Coutts and Chris Dickson. In addition, over 50 percent of the existing New Zealand Sailing Team has already been former medal achievers at the Youth Worlds. Sam Meech won gold medal in the Laser event in 2009 and won silver in 2008. Josh Junior won silver medal in 2007, Alex Maloney won silver in 2010 and Blair Tuke won silver in 2007.

Scott McKenzie and Seb Lardies will be the part of the New Zealand Sailing Foundation youth team and are trying to finish on the podium. The duo has been in good form in 29er finished 2nd in Gdynia and 6th at Kiel Week in the last few months. Lardies hopes to come back with a medal this time along with McKenzie who completed 6th at youth sailing world championships last year in China. They both are aiming to sail the best as they are feeling energetic, especially after achieving good outcomes at Kiel and Gdynia. The duo has improved to perform better in windy conditions too.

Corpus Christi located on the Gulf of Mexico is a windy place, but the forecast says a mix of everything for 5 days of racing. Josh Armit says he likes a variety of weather conditions and has been putting in best efforts to make better improvements in the recent past.