Novices to sail with top level yachties for fundraiser

Olympic silver medallist Leslie Egnot will take part in the event. File photo / Doug Sherring

Novice sailors will get the opportunity to sail with top-level yachties in a fundraising competition on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

Set for next month, the competition will pit 10 teams against each other in a "thrilling battle", with the funds raised going to the Sir Peter Blake Trust for future Young Blake environmental expeditions, a trust spokeswoman said.

Anyone could enter, regardless of experience, as each team of three would be paired with a coach and world-class skipper, she said.

Some of the country's top names in sailing would lend their expertise on the day, including Olympic gold medallists Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, Olympic silver medallist and skipper of the 1995 All Women's Americas Cup Team, Leslie Egnot, and Olympic bronze medallist Craig Monk.

Trust chief executive Shelley Campbell said funds raised from The Great Blake Race, to be held in partnership with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, would help fund future environmental expeditions to locations such as the Sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands.

"Young Blake Expeditions seeks to continue the incredible legacy of Sir Peter Blake, who, after a successful sailing career, dedicated his life to driving awareness and action around critical changes happening in 'hotspots' such as the Amazon and Antarctica," said Ms Campbell.

"The funds raised will enable young New Zealand leaders to gain invaluable education on important marine environmental issues and, on their return, be able to share their knowledge and passion and with the rest of New Zealand," she said.

More information can be found here.