Two days into the Mastercard Youth Training Week for 2025, the sailors on Kawau Island are already immersed in a dynamic mix of competition, coaching, and adventure. The weather has delivered a bit of everything, mostly excellent sailing conditions with steady winds of 5–13 knots, punctuated by dramatic swings from glassy calm to sudden gusts of 26 knots. Sunshine, rain, thunder, lightning, our sailors have seen it all, and they’re rising to the challenge so far.
On the water, the sailors have now logged a full day each with both spinnakers and gennakers. Their engagement has been outstanding; questions are constant, focus is high, and the scored races have brought out their competitive edge. At this early stage, two groups have edged ahead- the composite team of individual sailors and the Hamilton Yacht Club 2 squad, who have been battling for the top two positions at the front of the fleet.
But the week isn’t just about racing. Off the water, the sailors jumped into a lively scavenger hunt designed to get them exploring and learning about Kawau Island. Armed with their phones, they snapped photos of native birds, picked up rubbish they found (but didn’t bring), researched quirky island facts, and tackled a long list of fun challenges. The evening was a relaxed mix of swimming, fishing, and socialising, exactly the kind of balance that makes this week special.
A big shoutout to Mastercard for making this event happen. A shoutout and thank you to Ross Chapman and Blair Park, our race management team and our YTP coaches who are doing a stellar job. A huge thank you goes to the Kawau Boating Club, whose catering team has been exceptional. With four hearty meals a day, the sailors are well-fuelled for what’s still ahead: four more days of yachting, an around-the-island race, match racing (including a highly anticipated coaches-vs-sailors showdown), and finally the big sail home on Sunday.
It’s been a pleasure to coach this group so far. With plenty of adventure still on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what the next few days bring.
