Sailing

Term 1 Summary

It has been a significant season for the Rangitoto College sailing programme, marked by a return to national-level competition and strong results across multiple disciplines. From tactical fleet racing to high-intensity keelboat battles, our sailors demonstrated resilience, skill, and commendable sportsmanship.

College Sport Fleet Racing Regatta

Despite a challenging start characterised by light winds and tricky currents, the team maintained their focus to deliver a series of consistent performances. With nearly every sailor securing a top 5 finish in their respective heats, Rangitoto College earned 3rd place overall.

Individual Standouts:

• Chloe Turner: 1st Female & 3rd Overall (ILCA 6)
• Sofia Turner: 1st Female (Starling)
• Filippo Bassano: 2nd Overall (ILCA 6)
• Charlotte Bob: 2nd Female (ILCA 6)

We would like to extend a special acknowledgement to our international students from Italy, Filippo and Charlotte for their valued contributions to the team’s success.

NZSS Keelboat Nationals

For the first time since 2021, Rangitoto returned to the National Championships at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Competing in a deep field of 18 teams, our sailors faced gruelling, near-limit wind conditions that tested their heavy-weather boat handling and endurance.

• Rangitoto A (Gold Fleet): Following a strong qualifying round, the crew (Chloe Turner, Arran Begic, Will Fyfe, Sofia Turner, and Charlotte Bob) placed 4th overall. A notable achievement within a highly experienced national fleet.
• Rangitoto B (Silver Fleet): Showed great determination to qualify and compete, gaining invaluable experience that will serve the program well in future seasons.

Auckland Cup Secondary Schools Team Racing Regionals Departing from previous years’ participation in the North of the Bridge Regionals, our team racing squad instead contested the Auckland Cup at Royal Akarana Yacht Club. Over three days of intense competition in Okahu Bay, including a challenging second day where 30–40 knot winds halted racing, 16 school teams faced off in a series of fast-paced tactical battles. The crew of Arran Begic, Will Fyfe, Taran Bates, Tehya Harris, Gemma Hebberd, and Phoebe Willis delivered a strong performance to secure 6th place overall, providing excellent momentum heading into the national stage.

NZSS Team Sailing Nationals Hosted by Sail Northland at Parua Bay, the National Championships featured a grueling 269 races over five days, attracting 28 teams from across New Zealand. Conditions were highly unpredictable, ranging from 30+ knot gusts that forced race abandonments to long, patient waits for the breeze to settle. The Rangitoto College team, Arran Begic, Will Fyfe, Taran Bates, Tehya Harris, Gemma Hebberd, and Phoebe Willis, demonstrated remarkable grit. Their determination was rewarded with a 9th place finish overall and the prestigious Silver Fleet Trophy.

Congratulations to our sailors for their high standards of sportsmanship and impressive results.

Term 2 Summary

A huge congratulations to our talented sailors who have earned selection for major international regattas following strong performances at recent National Championships and qualifying events. Over the coming months, they will represent New Zealand at some of the world’s biggest junior and youth sailing events, competing against hundreds of sailors from more than 30 nations.

Chloe Turner (Y13) and Arran Begic (Y12) will travel to Denmark to compete at the ILCA 6 World Championships, while Sofia Turner (Y10) will race at the ILCA 4 World Championships, also in Denmark. Chloe, the current U17 World Champion, will also head to Greece for the European Championships as part of her preparation.

Tom Hall (Y10) is heading to the Optimist World Championships in Morocco after being selected for the New Zealand team, and Aurora Edhouse (Y10) will represent New Zealand at the Optimist European Championships in Poland.

Phoebe Willis (Y11) will compete at both the 420 European and World Championships, held in Lithuania and France. 

We wish Chloe, Arran, Sofia, Tom, Aurora and Phoebe all the very best with their final preparations and every success as they take on the world stage.

Acknowledgments

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Ms. Grasberger for her unwavering support on the water, and to Jim and Paula for their hard work behind the scenes. Your efforts make these opportunities possible for our students. Thank you so much to our extended whanau for your support as well.

Congratulations to all our sailors on a successful and spirited season(s). We look forward to building on this momentum next year.