Elliott News

 It’s been 14 years since the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) launched 10 Elliott 7 keelboats for the Mastercard Youth Training Programme. This month saw the launching of the new fleet of Elliott 7 keelboats, gifted to the club by Emirates Team New Zealand.  The yachts, supplied by Elliott Marine Ltd and built under licence, to an extremely high standard by McConaghy Boats in China.  On arrival in New Zealand, commissioning was completed by Elliott Marine, led by Greg  Elliott with the support of Emirates Team New Zealand shore crew and a couple of RNZYS staff members.  The yachts are fitted out with brand new North Sails and the latest in high performance technology,

Gifted by Emirates Team New Zealand to support the program that has successfully created world class athletes, including some who are now part of ETNZ, the brand new fleet of Elliott 7 keelboats have arrived at their new berths where the next generation of elite athletes will carve their yachting future. Grant Dalton, CEO of ETNZ announced to RNZYS members “We are especially proud and excited about the launch of the new fleet of Elliot 7’s”   “ investing in the new fleet is an investment in New Zealand’s future sailing talent through the world class RNZYS Youth Training Programme.” The new Elliott 7 fleet, supplied by Elliott Marine Ltd, will not only be utilised for the Mastercard Youth Training Program and the Musto Performance Programme, but also for world class international and local Match Racing events. In addition to this, the fleet will also race on Tuesday evenings as part of the ongoing Elliott 7 series, and support the RNZYS ongoing work to support schools and youth within the community. 

The original fleet is now based at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.  Speaking at the official launching  RNZYS Vice Commodore and Chair of Sailing, Gillian Williams said  “The fleet has done us proud and has produced world class sailors who have gone on to achieve great success around the world and we are excited to now have BBYC take on the boats, so they can enhance their development programs,” Sailors such as Gavin Brady, Leonard Takahashi, Nick Egnot-Johnson, Megan Thomson, Celia Willison and current Hardy Cup champion helm, Josh Hyde, have gone through the RNZYS Youth Training Program in this fleet and have achieved results on the world stage ever since. “It was time for RNZYS to upgrade with more international sailing and match racing events coming to the shores of the Waitemata Harbour.” “It’s an exciting time,” continued Williams.

Andrew Aitken, Commodore of RNZYS, is thrilled to be leading the club through the launch of the new Elliott 7 fleet, which is part of the ongoing reset journey the club has undertaken.“The new fleet of Emirates Team New Zealand Elliott 7’s is a significant milestone for our club. We aim to leave a legacy for the next generation of sailors, and this is an important step in this process,” continued Aitken.