1:42 AM Sun 27 Sep 2009 GMT
Chris Caldecoat from Performance Sailcraft Australasia, the Central Coast based NSW Laser dinghy manufacturer launched the Win a Laser competition in March 2009 on
www.Sail-World.com
and the competition closed at midnight on Friday 25th September 2009.
The prize was a Laser dinghy ready to sail away. It includes: Boat, Spars, Foils, Sail, Sail numbers, Battens, Turbo Kit, Rope Kit, Tiller and extension and Beach dolly. Retail price AUD$9,200 NZ Retail $11,495.
Today Caldecoat commented about the response before announcing the Win A Laser competition winner.
'Canadian triple Olympian Bruce Kirby designed the Laser in 1969. Since then 196,000 Laser dinghies have been sold around the world and are being sailed in 122 countries on six continents and at the Olympics.
'This is the most popular sailing boat in the world and we have been very pleased to have run such a major competition giving one as a prize. The response to the Sail World online competition was phenomenal.
'We want to thank everyone who took the time to enter and complete the survey.
'From a Performance Sailcraft point of view, we're incredibly amazed and we really appreciate the number of people who entered the competition, answered the questions and gave us very detailed statistics on how to better service the market.
'This competition has generated interest from people of all ages and walks of life, with the largest number of entries coming from the young sailors, the masters demographic and parents with young children. We had Olympic medallists, world champions, national champions, masters, grand masters and lots of junior sailors enter.
'Today I have great pleasure in announcing that 16 year old Holly Curtis from Hamilton in the North Island of New Zealand, has been selected by the judging panel as the very worthy winner of our first Win A Laser competition.
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New Zealander Holly Curtis wins a Laser Radial -
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'I had the pleasure of talking to Holly a few minutes ago; she was definitely both shocked and excited and looking forward to switching to a Laser Radial. We are arranging for her to have some Laser coaching.'
Sail-World also spoke to Holly who is in Year 12 studying at St Peters in Cambridge; she started the two year International Baccalaureate Diploma program this year.
'I am studying hard, but I enjoy my sport. In summer it's all sailing, and then I switch to hockey and rock climbing in the winter.
'Mum and Dad have been very supportive of my sailing. I'm sure that my friends would agree that I absolutely love sailing and they complain that there wouldn't be a day that goes by where I wouldn't talk of sailing.
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Holly on her purple hulled Starling Stardust at the top mark. -
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'For me it's Hamilton - we sailing on the lake, its very shifty conditions. I'd sailed on the family keeler when I was very little, that was in Auckland but when I was eleven, I started in Optimists, then P's and a Starling; we mainly sail on Lake Rotoroa. I've done some coaching camps then I got a 3.7 this year and managed to win the Autumn series.
'My Dad's been sailing for many years and was Commodore of Hamilton Yacht Club for the past two years; I am on the Junior committee.
'With the Laser I will definitely be able to go to regattas, but before that I am looking forward to getting some more coaching.'
Sail-World New Zealand editor Richard Gladwell commented a few minutes ago 'We are very supportive of our youth fleets. Our Laser sailors are doing very well internationally, we have a lot of depth in our fleets and for us at Sail-World New Zealand, its very pleasing to see such a major prize go to a young Kiwi sailor. Given there were thousands of entries it was great to see that quite a number of young Sail-world NZ readers made the short list. We'd like to have seen them all win a Laser.
'Congratulations to Holly and its great to see the Hamilton Laser fleet will continue its expansion. Our thanks to Performance Sailcraft for participating in the competition and their very strong support of Sail-World.'
The final words from a very happy Chris Caldecoat from Performance Sailcraft. ''As a result of this competition, we have a lot of dealers screaming for trade-ins! We encourage anyone to see their local dealer about trading their late model Laser in for a new one, so we can get more out there.
'Now is absolutely the best time to trade in your late model Laser for a new boat, with dealers across Australia and New Zealand offering smashing deals! If you have been putting off trading in your beloved Laser, rest assured that a quick trip to your local dealer will probably result in you leaving with a new boat.'
More information at
www.lasersailing.com.au
by www.sail-world.com
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
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