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As I write this article during yet another Auckland lockdown, we are supposed to have had our 2021 AGM by now, and should have just celebrated the official RNZYS 150th birthday. My first year as Commodore ends just as it began – with a lockdown and a closed club!

Despite this we have achieved a lot. As each two-year term for a Commodore unfolds, we try our best to leave the club in a better place than when we started – I now have 11 months to go.

While the year has been thoroughly enjoyable, a considerable time sacrifice is made so firstly, thank you to my family, our Committee, and all the staff, for your continued support. I also thank each and every member who has supported me, and the Committee, as we led the club through the last year.

Through these interesting Covid times, we have all learnt a lot. We are forced to shut the doors and not only halt all our membership events and food and beverage operation, but we also stop sailing. The staff and Committee now have this process pretty well documented and practiced, but it’s still challenging and frustrating for all of us, not least of all financially.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge and thank our outgoing Committee members.

Jonty Cullinane has always offered frank, considered logical ideas and feedback. He has been involved with both Sailing and Membership Committees, and more recently Finance & Risk, which he has offered to stay on this Committee for the next term.

Peter Boardman has served on the General Committee for 12 years and has been the driving force and advocate for Kawau. He led the successful application for the Kawau facility resource consent, a well-deserved reward for his hard work and determination for his time on the General Committee. Peter will continue to work with the Kawau subcommittee where his knowledge and experience will be very helpful.

I would also like to pay our respects to Peter Hay (Past Commodore, Life member and Trustee) who gave so much to the club over so many years. We certainly miss him, along with his wealth of knowledge and significant contribution to club life.

The General Committee has confirmed acceptance by Past Commodore Bill Endean to join Graeme Bennett and Bryan Kensington, as our third Trustee.

We still have a huge amount of on-water activity to come despite the Doyle Sails Winter Series finishing prematurely due to Covid. RNZYS will celebrate Opening Day in October, along with the start of the Doyle Sails Wednesday Night series. Remember also to note November 4th for our very own Corporate Charity Regatta, where money raised will support the International Sailing Fund and the Kawau Reforestation project.

Operationally, the club is traditionally far quieter during the winter months and this year is no exception. We have also been hit with many additional costs, like many businesses, with increased wage costs and higher-priced supplies. Be assured though, the Flag officers and CEO meet almost daily to make sure we are on track and thinking of many ideas that allow us to keep all members engaged. It has been a long lockdown, so let’s hope we can all be back in person soon.

America’s Cup 37 discussions and opinions continue with many parties, but for us most importantly with our team. As Trustee of the America’s Cup, we are in daily communication with Emirates Team NZ given we have to sign and present a Protocol by the middle of November. The America’s Cup Protocol defines the items of mutual consent under the America’s Cup Deed of Gift agreed between the Defender (RNZYS) and Challenger of Record (RYS). Whilst I appreciate there will be many opinions on what is right and wrong, we have stood by our team as per our agreement and have always maintained if we have a choice it is our preference that the AC37 event is held in Auckland, assuming it is credible with adequate finance as well as Government support. We are getting close to making some key decisions with our team around the next cycle of the event, where we hope to be able to successfully defend the oldest trophy in international sport.

I mentioned a year ago that my own goals reached further than seeing a successful America’s Cup and having a few parties to celebrate the sesquicentennial. The RNZYS has such an influential role across sailing in New Zealand that we must lead the way here. I would like to help to grow the sport with all clubs and increase our own club sailing standard. At a membership level, I would also like to see members being passionately involved in our club, having fun on and off the water. To that point, we have increased membership numbers slightly, and have higher numbers racing than we have ever had.

The RNZYS has collaborated with many other clubs to create events like the Barfoot & Thompson Bridge to Bean Race and sharing the America’s Cup for club and regatta prizegivings. Our ongoing collaborations with other clubs continue to be a work in progress, and we are always looking for more opportunities to grow New Zealand sailing. Through this teamwork, we continue to strive for our vision – to be the world’s leading yacht club.

I look forward to seeing you back at the club, or out on the water soon. Aaron Young, Commodore

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