Firstly congratulations go to Sean and Dan for their successful bid in retaining the Leander Trophy. The fact the L3 has managed this feat for the second successive year shows not only the robustness of Dan's outstanding design but the level of skill and professionalism Sean and Dan possess as a team, given the various disruptions to their campaign earlier in the season.

Second, my personal thanks go to those persons who helped make the Leander National Championship the success it undoubtedly was. As the squadron slowly builds in strength, the ability of it supporters to competently organize events of this nature is not lost on observers in the wider community. It is hoped this recognition will ultimately follow through in terms of boats on the water, leaving the squadron in a strong position for the future.

This of course would not have been possible without the support of the following sponsors:

• Pub Charity
• Brent Cowan Plumbers
• Pacifica Shipping
• Muffin Break
• Ian Franklin Boat Builders Ltd
• Auckland Savings Bank
• International Rope Braid
• P. J. Hobbs Industries Ltd
• Ocean Blue Marine
• Subway
• Lyttelton Port Company
• TheVirtual

To these people and groups the squadron is indebted for not only their help but belief in what we are attempting to achieve.

Outside of the Leander, one of the highlights of the season was the visit to Naval Point by the foiling Moths at Easter.  This gave squadron members a first hand look at the practicalities of hydrofoils, giving tangibility to ideas surrounding the application of foils to the R-Class. The squadron in conjunction with Dan Leech is currently engaged in development work that if successful, will add a dramatic new dimension to the class that again will hopefully be reflected in terms of the number of competitive boats on the water,

For the forthcoming season, given we do not have a home Leander to organize, it is perhaps time to focus on ensuring we make a better effort to organize and support those events listed in our schedule of events for the season. It makes for a quiet prizegiving otherwise which is not quite in the tradition of sailing hi performance skiffs.

Finally, my thanks to those members of the committee who willingly (and otherwise) gave up their time to attend to the needs of the squadron.  Of special distinction in this area is James Collett whose exceedingly high level of organization (if not spelling ability) has been a crucial factor in keeping the show on the road.



Doug Gale