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Victory over arch rivals Australia is usually sweet, but the introduction of a resource consent has left sailors sour at the Interdominion Schools Team Sailing Championships.
This year’s competition, hosted at Algies Bay from September 30 to October 4, saw things go down to the wire, with the home nation pulling away at the very end.
However, sailors from both nations received a blow before racing even begun. Auckland Council announced it would, for the first time require a resource consent to use the reserve area next to the Sandspit Yacht Club.
New Zealand Team Sailing Association (NZTSA) secretary Gay Noyer says after running the event at
Algies five times and only requiring an event permit, it was a shock to be told they needed a consent that would cost over $5000.
“We managed to get an admin fee taken off that, so it was just over $3000, but then we required CLC Consulting Group to do the consent for us, which cost another $3000,” Noyer says.
“Council talks about promoting sport and recreation in the region, but then puts a huge cost in the way of a non-profit organisation.
“We’re hoping to get a grant to help cover the expense, but they’re not easy to come by.”
Auckland Council acting resource consents manager Steve Goeldner says the event required a resource consent for the first time because of new rules in the Auckland Unitary Plan.
“The charges are to cover the cost of processing the resource consent application,” Mr Goeldner says.
“The consent enables the holder to use the reserve land for a period of 10 years for up to two major team sailing events each year.”
Council was unable to comment on whether the added cost of the consent would impact the event in any way.
Despite increased costs being a disappointment, the NZTSA was pleased with how close the competition was this time.
NZTSA chair Derry Godbert says it was the girls who pulled New Zealand to victory after a struggling performance in the open class.
“We have a strong focus on girls sailing in this country, and it was great to see that in the results,” Godbert says.
Napier Girls High School was the top New Zealand competitor, winning its side of the competition, while Auckland Boys Grammar School had the best result in the open, coming third.
New Plymouth Girls High School finished third and Diocesan School for Girls fourth, while Westlake Boys High School came fourth and Christchurch Boys High School sixth.
Godbert also praised Algies Bay as a venue, even though the event will not be held there in 2020 for the first time since 2006.
“Because of the resources we have there and the work of Ross Sutherland, it’s the best place for school team sailing regattas in the country.
“Unfortunately, Ross is away in 2020, so the event will move to another location in New Zealand, but it will definitely be back at Algies in future.”
The event will also be trialled in July for the next two years to suit the school examination schedule better.
