Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals New Plymouth YC - Day 1 - Girls to the fore
by Sail-World.com/nz 4 Apr 10:09 BST
4-7 April 2026
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 1 - April 4, 2026 © Billy Preston
The 2026 Toyota Optimist Nationals got underway on Saturday from New Plymouth Yacht Club, on a stunning Taranaki day.
A light northerly breeze of 5-8kts with a light chop made for challenging racing.
The 153-boat fleet from four countries was treated to the sight of a whale moving through the race area.
In the 86-strong Open fleet, two female sailors top the leaderboard after three races were sailed on the first day in the Blue and Yellow fleets.
Glendowie Boating Club's Zofia Wells won two races in the Yellow fleet and finished third in the second race of the day to finish on 5pts. Ally Burfoot from Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club is second overall, on six points. She returned a 3,2,1 scorecard for the day and was the top scorer in the Blue fleet.
First male sailor is Will Handley, Murrays Bay SC, on seven points after scoring 3,1,3 in the Yellow fleet.
There are four nations competing in the regatta. Jack McGuire (Royal Queensland) is the top international competitor, lying fifth overall. Leo Gillard (SRC Noumea) is 39th overall, with Carli Brodie (Laucala Bay, Fiji) in 76th.
In the 40-boat White fleet, Carter Smith (MBSC) leads on 10pts, from Tommy O'Connor (RAYC) on 14pts and Ellie McDowell (TYPBC) on 17pts.
Isaac Gilles (11yrs) from Wakatere Boating Club leads the Green fleet after winning all three races in the 27-boat fleet. He is followed by Ardie Petersen (10yrs), also from Wakatere BC, with Worser Bay's Zach Oldfield in third place overall.
For full results in all fleets www.sailwave.com/results/NPYC
Photos and videos available on Facebook and Instagram @npyachtclub or in 'event photos' on the regatta website www.npyc.co.nz/events/opti-nats