Five-time America’s Cup winner Sir Russell Coutts was back on the water at the weekend, this time imparting some of his sailing knowledge to a group of young, up-and-coming southern sailors learning the ropes on Lake Wanaka.
Sir Russell and his former Team New Zealand teammates Barry McKay and Hamish Pepper, took 15 young sailors from around the south of the South Island, through a training clinic at the Wanaka Yacht Club on Saturday.
Time was spent both on Lake Wanaka and in the classroom, with the trio tutoring the young sailors on tactics, race starts and strategies.
The talent of the young sailors impressed Sir Russell.
"I must say I’m super-impressed by the standard of sailing of these young sailors," he said.
There had been a resurgence of sailing in the South Island which was good for sailing in New Zealand, he said.
"I think these South Island lakes are under-utilised for sailing. Some of these places are just perfect to learn how to race, and race in good regattas."
Next June, Sir Russell will be in charge of the America’s Cup regatta in Bermuda as the chief executive of the event.
"It’s going to be a great competition with all the teams really close in terms of performance," he said.
Wanaka Yacht Club youth development co-ordinator Craig Fahey said the day had gone really well with both the weather and the coaches playing their part.
"Lake Wanaka really turned on the weather for us, it’s been pretty perfect for sailing, which is not always the case," Mr Fahey said.
Learning from some of the best sportsmen New Zealand had produced was a great opportunity for the young sailors, he said.
"We have some incredible coaching resources here today so these kids are very lucky."
The clinic was also part of the club’s plan to become a centre of excellence for youth sailing in the South Island, Mr Fahey said.
One of the young sailors, Jamie Shaw (16), from Queenstown, said having one of the best sailors in the world pass on some critical sailing skills was an amazing opportunity.
