Strongest Tall Ship Challenge yet say organisers

Two young women led Whangarei’s first independent school, Huanui College, to victory in the annual Tai Tokerau Tall Ship Challenge last week.

And 14-year olds, Samantha McBeth and Emma Wickham, did so against a host of older teenagers to secure the increasingly prestigious title after seven days at sea with total strangers.

After a farewell from Top Energy Corporate Services Manager Steve James last week, the R.Tucker Thompson sailed from Opua to Whangarei. Along the way, the experienced crew challenged students physically and mentally, while demanding individual strength and teamwork as six schools from the Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara competed for the title.

Northpower and Top Energy sponsor the Tai Tokerau Tall Ship Challenge to encourage safety and leadership amongst Northland youth, while also testing initiative to develop future potential.

“To take on a voyage like this and win at such a young age is an outstanding achievement,” says Northpower’s Public Affairs Manager Steve Macmillan.

“The attitudes of all on board once they crossed the finish line at Marsden Cove were great to see and the Bream Bay pairing of Cruz Flavell and Seyerus Miller, who came in second, were very humble and mature in their praise of our 2013 winners, the other competitors and the crew, who took such good care of them and taught them so much.

“Yes it was about competition but just as importantly it was about growing as individuals and the confidence and genuine camaraderie in the teams was clear to see.”

“What made it so special this time around was the calibre of entrants which was extremely high,” said R.Tucker Thompson Executive Trustee Jane Hindle. “This has been strongest Tai Tokerau Tall Ship Challenge yet with a record number of entrants and the most committed teams,” she says. “But we are still waiting for a Far North win.”

The 2012 winners were Dargaville High School, while Whangarei Boys High School were victorious in 2011 and Bream Bay College the first victors in 2010.

While entries are not yet open for next year’s event, secondary school teachers and students are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the opportunity and plan for the 2014 voyage.

For more information, visit tucker.co.nz.