Top co-educational school honours for Macleans College at national Team Sailing Championships
Posted on April 24, 2026
During the final week of the April school holidays, seven Macleans College sailors represented the school at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team Sailing Championships in Parua Bay, Whangārei.
The team included Madi Russell (Snell House), Martina Beavis (Kupe), Callum Noyer (Mansfield), Izzy Harrison (Hillary), Roberto Beavis (Kupe), Lauchy Wills (Rutherford) and Will Noyer (Mansfield).
Over five days, students raced in a wide range of challenging conditions. Winds varied from light 4 knot easterlies to strong 30 knot south-westerlies. One day of racing was cancelled due to high winds. Students used this time to relax and enjoy a round of golf.
The team competed in 23 races across the regatta. They had several close contests against strong schools including Rangitoto College, Takapuna Grammar School, Glendowie College and Napier Boys’ High School. A key moment came on the final day of the round robin. Macleans College secured two important wins against Mount Aspiring College and Auckland Combined Girls’ School. These results, along with consistent performances earlier in the week, placed the team in the top four and secured a place in the semi-finals.
In the semi-final, Macleans College competed against Auckland Grammar School in a best-of-three series. Despite two close races, they were unable to secure a win. The team then moved to the petit final against Westlake Girls High School. After narrowly losing the first race, they responded well to win the second. A strong start in the deciding third race led to victory and secured third place overall.
This result also confirmed Macleans College as the top co-educational school at the championships.
The team has now qualified for the Interdominion Championship, an international event featuring the top six secondary school teams from Australia and New Zealand.
Thank you to coach Tim McCulloch (Rutherford House 2019 - 2023) for his guidance and support throughout the week. The school would also like to recognise the contribution of the parent community, along with Ms Heywood and Ms Maraki, whose organisation and support helped ensure a successful event.
