Nelson Bays Team Sailing is celebrating 20 years of creating accessible, high-performance sailing pathways for young people across Nelson and Tasman, with the milestone coinciding with the Top of the South Team Sailing Regatta from 12–14 March.
Team sailing is a fast-paced, tactical sport for secondary students. NBTS runs weekly after-school training and Sunday racing throughout the season, culminating in the Top of the South Regatta, then national competition in April.
Committee member Natalia Harrington says the upcoming TOTS regatta is one of the flagship events on the junior sailing calendar.
“This year teams are competing from Waimea College, Garin College, Nayland College, Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls, with up to 70 students aged 12–18 involved. We’re also welcoming teams from Marlborough, Canterbury, and even Wanaka.”
NBTS operates independently from Nelson Yacht Club, but works closely with the club, storing and operating a fleet of 13 Olympic-class 420 yachts. The model is unique in New Zealand and has consistently produced some of the country’s top-ranked school teams, while keeping the sport affordable and inclusive for families.
For Nelson College for Girls sailing captain Victoria Mitchell, the sailing club is a home away from home.
“I’m at the yacht club five times a week during the season, and then we all compete against each other on the weekends.”
Victoria says, she is looking forward to the challenges that out-of-town teams will bring to TOTS, and continuing the spirit that team sailing provides.
“There’s a heap of talented sailors competing, but the best thing about it is the community of people that make team sailing happen – sailors, coaches, volunteers and parents. I can’t wait.”
