Wind fills sails of Gulf Harbour teenage yacht racer

Among the talented young sailors making his mark in competitions around NZ is 16-year-old Matthew Hughes of Gulf Harbour.

Last month, Matthew topped off a year of strong results on the water, which included winning the Starling class at the Sir Peter Blake Memorial Regatta against some of NZ’s best young sailors, by taking out the top spot in the North Harbour Matchracing Trials. This earned him the right to represent North Harbour at the National Inter-provincial Match Racing Championship at Murrays Bay Sailing Club, where he came in a very respectable fourth place.

Wentworth College student Matthew has been sailing since the age of 11, after his interest was sparked by a Learn to Sail course with Manly Sailing Club.

Last year he was named Wentworth’s Sailor of the Year in recognition of his captaincy of the college’s sailing team, managed by his mother Helen.

Most weekends he can be found at Murrays Bay Sailing Club and his family are also members of Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.

Matthew says this allows him to combine learning one on one skills with taking part in large fleet match racing.
He says he enjoys the competitive aspect of the sport, which requires tactical thinking as well as sailing skill. He also coaches younger sailors as well as getting out on the water most days to train or race.

Currently Matthew competes in Starlings, but he is looking forward to moving up to the larger Laser, which will take him into the realm of international competition.

His next focus is the Starling Fleet National Regatta in April at Murray’s Bay as well as competing with the Wentworth team at the NZ Secondary Schools National Regatta in Algies Bay the same month.

Image: Matthew Hughes