Sailing

New Zealand sailors have claimed, over the years, most of the top international sailing trophies including the America's Cup and Whitbread Race.

Since man first stepped ashore on the islands of New Zealand, the sea and sailing have played a vital role in the lives of New Zealanders.

New Zealand born yachting legend Sir Peter Blake is the only sailor to have taken part in the first five Whitbread Round the World races. He also led his country to two successive America’s Cup victories.

New Zealanders are famed around the world for their ingenuity – there’s an old adage that Kiwis can do anything with a piece of fencing wire.

Sailing veteran Tony Rae could claim to know the Hauraki Gulf like the back of his hand. But, even though the 47-year-old has been sailing the waters of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf since he was a boy, he says there are still sheltered bays and hidden coves that surprise him.

There are few sailing events around the world that a Kiwi hasn’t conquered and there’s no doubt that they’re regarded among the best in the world.

With nearly 16,000 km (10,000 miles) of coastline, it’s almost impossible to escape the sea in New Zealand.

Hall, an Olympian from the Athens games, is an integral member of the Emirates Team New Zealand afterguard.

The way the world saw the America’s Cup was revolutionised and turned into a true spectator sport by Ian Taylor and his team at Animation Research Limited.

New Zealanders first started building boats out of necessity, as they lived in a country totally surrounded by sea.