International opportunities

Through selection by Yachting New Zealand, 420 sailors have the opportunity each year to represent New Zealand at the ISAF Youth World Championships (one boys’ and one girls’ crew).  The ISAF Youth Worlds is the premier Youth sailing event globally.  Sailors can compete at the Youth Worlds until, and including, the year in which they turn 18, so if you are serious about wanting to represent New Zealand at this event you should start sailing the appropriate class as soon as you can, ideally not when you are already 16 or 17yrs old!

Famous sailors who made their mark by winning at the Youth World’s include NZ’s Chris Dickson, Russell Coutts, Dean Barker and Stuart Bannatyne, plus Olympic medallists Ben Ainslie (GBR), Robert Scheidt (BRA), Alessandra Sensini (ITA), Iain Percy (GBR) and Elise Rechichi (AUS).  Attendance at the Youth Worlds is subsidised by Yachting New Zealand.

This is just one of the many international competition opportunities available to 420 sailors, including World Championships, regional championships and national championships in countries nearby like Australia and in Asia.  For example, each year the top seven men’s and women’s teams at the New Zealand 420 Nationals are selected to represent New Zealand at the Open 420 and Women’s World Championships.

The 420 is a global class with great opportunities available to develop your sailing and compete at the highest level, making many friends overseas along the way.