Howick Sailing Club recently had the privilege of hosting the 54th 2025 Family Boats New Zealand Starling National Championship.
The competition was staged at Howick Beach and was proudly sponsored by local businesses Family Boats, Yamaha Marine New Zealand, and Team Marie Raos of Ray White Howick, who all have a long connection with the club.
Club commodore Reneta Money says 112 sailors from across New Zealand travelled to east Auckland to compete.
“Whilst the weather proved to be challenging with the tail end of Cyclone Tam impacting racing on Good Friday and Saturday, we still managed to get three races in on Good Friday, but sadly abandoned racing for Saturday with wind gusts up to 35 knots.
“Nevertheless, we had a great Saturday evening on shore hosting the Starling Class Association dinner with special guest speakers, sailing Olympians Erica Dawson and Jenny Armstrong, who inspired the sailors with stories of their competitive sailing journeys.
“We were also thrilled to have Brian Peet join us for the regatta. Brian is the author of the book Des Townsend: A Sailing Legacy. Des designed the Starling.
“The last time Howick Sailing Club hosted a Starling Nationals was in 1973, when Brian won it, so a very special connection.”
Money says the competing sailors were “delighted” the Easter Bunny had visited their boats on the Sunday to leave an Easter Egg for them.
“This kick-started a great day of sailing where we managed to get four races completed.
“On Easter Monday morning the fog rolled in, and the wind dropped to below five knots, so sailing was delayed until around 12pm when a nice little breeze came through.
“All in all, it was a fabulous regatta, despite what mother nature threw at it.”
The club thanks the many “amazing” volunteers including past and current club members from associated clubs and local businesses for their efforts.
“We couldn’t have done it without you!” Money says.
“We’d like to congratulate all our competitors with special mention of our overall winner Blake McKinnon of Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, followed by Oli Stone, of Kohimarama Yacht Club (KYC), and Callum Hyde of Murrays Bay Sailing Club.
“The topped-place girl was Lucy Luxford, of Charteris Bay Yacht Club in South Island.
“Lucy finished 11th overall. Charlotte Handley of Murrays Bay Sailing Club finished second girl and Kate Howse of Kohimarama Yacht Club was third.”
In the Open Fleet (silver flight), local Annabelle Cartwright (sailing for KYC) took out the first overall and first girl.
Sasha White, also from KYC, was second, and second girl overall, and Lewis Smith (Maraetai Sailing Club), was third.
Third girl was Brooke Cooper (Glendowie Boating Club), who was also fifth overall.
The Development Fleet also had a chance to shine with Will Noyer (KYC) taking out the top spot with Jessica Lee (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) finishing the top girl and second overall. Third in was Lucy Eaton (KYC).
