YACHTING - Teams to sharpen skills this weekend

NORTHLAND scholastic sailing teams will be sharpening their skills at Parua Bay this weekend as they prepare for the Upper North Island teams racing competition and the Secondary Schools' Teams Racing Regattas from April 27 to May 2.
The nationals, to be staged at Parua Bay, will attract teams from all over the country.
This weekend will be a chance for the local crews and those in the Upper North Island to test themselves ahead of the big event.
The simplest way to describe teams racing, is one team of six sailors confronting another team of six in boats, using rules of sailing and tactics to outfox their opposition.
The races are short, often less than 10 minutes in duration but full of drama.
The racing will be taking place close to shore, so people can watch if they want.
There will be a lot of races, upwards of 140 per day on two courses.
For the Upper North Island, there will be about 13 teams from Kerikeri, Whangarei, Mahurangi, St Kents, Mcleans, Long Bay, Hamilton.
The local teams have a very good record in teams' racing.
Kerikeri was winner for a number of years and is currently going through a rebuilding stage.
Mahurangi has been second for last few years and is strong again this year.
Whangarei Boys' High School is rebuilding, but has for the first time, many of the old boys are helping with the preparation.
Caption details: The Whangarei Boys' High School team for the Parua Bay regatta is (from left): Ian Palmer (manager), Sam Keogh, Mark Cooper, Casey Clarkson, Oli Craig, Cam Clarkson, Sam Brien, Joseph Wright, Michael Cates, Seagar Clarkson, Chris Wright (coach).