2024 CNI 420s - an exchange students perspective
By Eva Langeneckert
CNI’s is a crucial regatta for the 420 Nationals and showing off your skills. Many sailing teams come together and have engaging races with lots of competitiveness. And I was lucky enough to participate.
When I first came to New Zealand at the end of January I explicitly said I did not want to sail since I always thought it was scary and I didn’t particularly enjoy it in the past. But when I came along to one training (I basically had no other choice, living with the Brasells), the team chemistry and the engaging races convinced me to give it a try.
I really liked it once I tried it and got the hang of it quite fast, since I have sailed before on sailing yachts. The team always supported me, were happy to help and welcomed me nicely.
We started taking sailing more seriously coming up to CNI’s but still had fun and joked around (maybe a little bit too much). Having only started not even two months ago, I was self conscious about my skill level. But our amazing manager Tash encouraged me and I even learned how to skipper a little bit which turned out to be very helpful at CNI’s.
I was really nervous about CNI’s and how it is going to be, since I had never done anything like that before.
On our first day we had little bit of wind. Even though we didn't have any great successes, we still enjoyed it. The Taupo teams went for a bowling session afterwards to celebrate the day and spend time with each other.
The following morning we were all pretty tired but started the day with a sing along session in our gazebo which definitely lightened the mood. Sadly the wind didn’t pick up until 3 PM. However, we tried to keep away the boredom by playing volleyball, going to town and playing air hockey or tack/ tag.
Honestly, the motivation to start sailing at 3 PM was non-existent. Nevertheless, being out on the water was thrilling with enough wind to hike out.
The teamwork of everyone amazed me. We were all competing against each other but it didn’t stop us from helping each other and having a great time.
On the last day, Sunday, we were all exhausted but managed to play some volleyball while we were waiting for the wind to pick up. There was also a fun relay at around 11/12 which all teams enjoyed.
We finally got to some sailing in and finished the races we needed to around 3 PM, after which everyone packed up. Most people helped with packing up and getting stuff clean.
Overall I can say that CNIs is a thrilling experience even though it is super exhausting. But it is more than worth it for all the experience I got, the fun and exciting times and the races.
Eva Langeneckert, Tauhara College
The 14 LTYC sailors representing the two Taupo colleges in the Central North Island Secondary School Teams Regatta.
The 2024 Central North Island 420’s regatta was held 22 to 24 March. Ten teams from Wellington, New Plymouth, Napier, Cambridge and Tauranga competed in the regatta. Our Tauhara College team secured a solid 5th place out of 10 teams in a regatta dominated by Napier Boys High School.
Thanks to Jason Butterfield for his dedication to coaching our 420’s sailors again this year. Special mention to Tash Brasell for her exceptional organization, bringing together schools from across the region for an unforgettable event. A final thanks to the many volunteers that are required to run such a regatta, from lunch making to security, from tower to finish line - it takes a village to run a regatta and especially a successful one like this.
