New Zealand to host 2014 A-Class World Championship

As the yachting world feasts their eyes on the multi-hull action unfolding on San Francisco Bay, New Zealand is gearing up to celebrate the class which has now bred some of the talented sailors competing for the America’s Cup this month.

The A-Class Catamaran World Championship will be sailed off Takapuna Beach on February 5-16, 2014. Recognized as one of the best sailing waters in the world, this suburb of Auckland has plenty to offer both sailors and visitors, with sometimes challenging wind and weather conditions keeping sailors at the top of their game.

The beauty of this event truly lies in the diversity of sailors, with a broad range of young and old, professional and amateur participants taking to the water.

A-Class sailor, Artemis Skipper, and 49er gold medallist Nathan Outteridge is looking forward to seeing how technology from the America’s Cup will affect the class competition.

“Foiling was clearly a big point of this America’s Cup, and I expect to see various different avenues of foiling explored over the next few years in the A-Class fleet to chase an overall performance improvement,” he says.

Although Nathan’s attendance at the 2014 World Championships is unconfirmed, he says the event is bound to be exciting.

“The A-Class fleet has a great group of people. I have no doubt that the Worlds in Takapuna will be a huge success. I’ve got a busy summer ahead, but if I can find the time to compete I will be there,” he says.

A typical training ground for multi-hull sailors, the A-Class continues to draw in a competitive field, from the speed-hungry sailors to the likes of ETNZ Skipper Dean Barker, in preparation for bigger multi-hulls. Top sailors work hard each year to experiment with new setups and designs, which is reflected in the tight, exciting racing on the water.

This highly competitive event has previously attracted over 100 international sailors to the fleet, and the 2014 World Championships are sure to be no different. Takapuna Boating Club’s beach front and park side location will provide superb viewing for the racing in the Hauraki Gulf.

More information for this event can be found online or contact: Kerry Ellis, Event Director, Sailing Events Takapuna, Ph: +64 21353594 Email: kerry@sailingeventstakapuna.com