Westlake has stamped its authority on secondary school teams racing in New Zealand once again, with both Westlake Boys High School and Westlake Girls High School claiming titles at the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championships held at Whangarei Cruising Club over the weekend.
After a mammoth 269 races across the regatta, Westlake Boys High School edged out Auckland Grammar School to claim the overall crown, with Macleans College rounding out the podium in third place. The sheer volume of racing underscores the intensity and depth of competition at the event, which annually draws the best young sailing talent from across the country.
Westlake Girls Make It Four in a Row
Westlake Girls High School continued their remarkable stranglehold on the girls’ division, securing their fourth consecutive girls’ title in emphatic fashion. The dynasty WGHS has built in secondary school teams racing is now one of the most impressive streaks in New Zealand youth sailing, reflecting a sustained commitment to developing competitive sailors within their programme.
Nelson College for Girls finished as runners-up in the girls’ division, while Whangārei Girls’ High School — racing on home waters at the Whangarei Cruising Club — earned a well-deserved third place to complete the girls’ podium.
Silver and Bronze Fleet Honours
Beyond the championship fleet, Rangitoto College claimed the silver fleet title, while Nelson College for Girls added a bronze fleet victory to their strong overall showing at the event. The breadth of fleet racing ensures that teams at all levels of development get meaningful competition throughout the regatta, a key factor in growing the sport at the grassroots level.
The Significance of Teams Racing in New Zealand
Teams racing holds a unique and important place in New Zealand’s sailing pathway. Unlike traditional fleet racing, where individual boats compete against the entire fleet, teams racing pits groups of sailors against each other in a tactical, chess-like format that demands communication, strategic thinking, and rapid decision-making on the water. The discipline has long been a proving ground for some of New Zealand’s finest sailors, teaching skills that translate directly into match racing, the America’s Cup, and SailGP campaigns.
The New Zealand Secondary Schools Teams Racing Championships, organised in conjunction with the New Zealand Team Sailing Association, is one of the marquee events on the youth sailing calendar. Schools from across the country invest significant time and resources into preparing their teams, and the event has become a breeding ground for talent that frequently progresses into national youth squads and beyond.
Whangarei Cruising Club Delivers
Whangarei Cruising Club provided the venue for what was clearly a gruelling weekend of racing. Managing 269 races over a single regatta requires exceptional race management, reliable conditions, and strong volunteer support. The Northland venue has a proud history of hosting major sailing events and once again proved its capability on the national stage.
With Westlake Boys and Westlake Girls both taking home titles, the school’s combined programme stands as perhaps the strongest in the country. For Westlake Girls in particular, a fourth straight championship cements a legacy that future teams will aspire to match. Meanwhile, Auckland Grammar, Macleans College, Nelson College for Girls, and Whangārei Girls’ High School all demonstrated the growing competitiveness of secondary school teams racing nationwide.
As the 2026 season continues, the performances in Whangarei will serve as an important benchmark for the next generation of New Zealand sailors making their mark on the sport.
