Business North September 2020

18 | Volume 19 | Issue 3 businessnorth “The fact that we are hosting the America’s Cup the same year is purely coincidental but quite special.” DEVELOPMENT - AUCKLAND » Wynyard Edge Alliance / America’s Cup America’s Cup icing on the cake for 150th celebrations RNZYS Commodore Aaron Young with the America’s Cup. “We have to remember our grass roots and all sailors start off in dinghys .” Karen Phelps T he Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RN- ZYS) has two significant events to celebrate in 2021 – the America’s Cup and the RNZYS 150th anniversary. Incoming RNZYS Commodore Aaron Young says both are huge milestones. “The RNZYS was inaugurated in August 1871 making it one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest clubs. “The fact that we are hosting the America’s Cup the same year is purely coincidental but quite special. It’s really enabled us to build the two events together.” Needless to say the RNZYS celebrations, tied in with the America’s Cup, reflect the importance and reach of the operation. One show-stopping event will be the Mastercard Superyacht Regatta. Held from February 24-27, courses will include traditional windward-leeward and harbour courses taking in islands and other navigation marks with one or two races each day, conditions permitting. Aaron says the event will give Kiwis the rare op- portunity to view many incredible vessels. Reflecting the fact that the RNZYS embraces all levels of the sport, another event will be the Bridge to Bean Dinghy Race, which will see up to 500 dinghies and foiling vessels in various classes from a wide range of Auckland clubs race from under the Harbour Bridge to a finish off Orakei wharf. Anyone from children to adults will participate in the first ever event. “We have to remember our grass roots and all sailors start off in dinghys. It will give everyone the opportunity to be part of the America’s Cup summer and RNZYS 150th celebration.” The Youth America’s Cup will be another headline event, which will see New Zealand and international teams racing in brand new AC9F foil- ing mono-hulls, which are being built by Yachting Developments in Auckland. The event rules stipulate that each team must include two males and two females. “The aim is to inspire more females to get in- volved as it’s important to encourage equality,” ex- plains Aaron. “Especially as Peter Burling was the skipper of the team that won in 2013, so the Youth America’s Cup is a pretty clear path for younger sailors to see where their talent can take them.” There will also be opportunities for non-sailing Kiwis to take part with a number of events sched- uled around New Year including a New Year’s Eve party at Kawau Boating Club followed by a race around Kawau Island on New Year’s Day with a picnic at Lidgard House including music on the lawn with other RNZYS members and guests. On the 2nd January there is a conservation tree planting activity and on January 3rd a cruise to Great Barrier Island. Aaron says planning the events continues to be challenging due to Covid-19 but he is confident that no matter what happens the America’s Cup and 150th anniversary are destined to be great events with benefits continuing long afterwards. An RNZYS 150th book on New Zealand’s mari- time history is also due for release in October 2021. Your kiwi owned family business for 25 Years Unit G, 1 Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland | 09 274 1246 info@weldingtechnology.co.nz | www.weldingtechnology.co.nz We offer a comprehensive range of quality MIG welding, TIG welding, Pulse MIG, MMA welding, Plasma cutters, Mobile welding machines. Our range of Welding Machines are designed to meet the requirements of the larger engineering firms in New Zealand - Heavy Industrial Applications. WELDING TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIERSOFWELDING AND ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT www.onlime.co.nz Call us today 0800 245 463 GRAYMONT For all your lime & limestone requirements • Agricultur al Lime • Hydrat ed Lime • C alcium O xide • Calcimate • Aggregates • Landscape C hip