Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) is purchasing a renewed fleet of ten Elliott 7 yachts for the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) Mastercard Youth Training Programme (YTP) and Performance programme.

The RNZYS Mastercard Youth Training scheme started in 1987 and is now in its 36th year. Over 1,200 youths have graduated through the programme which has produced some of the world’s top sailors, including Nick Egnot-Johnson (2022 Open Match Racing world champion) and Celia Willison (second in the 2022 Women’s Match Racing World Championship).

The investment by Emirates Team New Zealand is a continuation of its support of the development of youth sailing with its representative yacht club.

“This programme is one of the cornerstones of the development of New Zealand sailing talent,” explains Emirates Team New Zealand CEO, Grant Dalton. “It is the pathway from teenage enthusiasts to high performance sailors in New Zealand, and around the world. And it has been this way for many years. So, we are happy to be able to continue to support it by refreshing the fleet of Elliott 7s, the legacy of which will go well beyond the physical boats themselves.”

The Elliott 7 class designer Greg Elliott has been a significant advocate for the RNZYS Mastercard Youth Training programme from its inception. He will project manage the supply and commissioning of the new fleet for the RNZYS, which is expected to be delivered in February 2024.

RNZYS performance sailing manager Zak Merton will manage the respective training and racing programmes, himself a graduate of them both. He says: “The skills and connections I developed through the programme have played a key role in my success and allowed me to travel the world pursuing my passion.

“Now, as the performance sailing manager and head coach for both the Mastercard Youth Training programme and the performance programme here at the RNZYS, I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue to grow the programme from the already high level it has achieved. The support of Emirates Team New Zealand to provide us a new fleet of Elliotts is absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to get the teams out training and sailing on these boats next year!”

All images courtesy of Live Sail Die

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