The Europe dinghy, once the women's Olympic single-handed class, heads to Nelson this weekend to crown its New Zealand champion for 2026.
The 2026 New Zealand Europe Dinghy National Championship takes place on 10 and 11 January, sailed as part of the Whakatu Regatta under Nelson Yacht Club. Beyond the national title, the event serves as New Zealand's qualification regatta for the 2026 Europe World Championship.
Alois Roland drew the Europe's lines in Belgium in 1960. The design began life as a class-legal Moth before earning recognition as a one-design class in its own right. It served as the women's Olympic single-handed dinghy from 1992 through to 2008, and has remained active internationally since, now featuring in the Vintage Yachting Games programme.
The fibreglass hull tips the scales at 45 kilograms, reaching 60 kilograms once fully rigged. That narrow bow and rounded hull demand balance and sensitivity rather than physical power. Sailors typically pair carbon fibre masts, selected according to individual weight and stiffness preference, with dacron sails shaped to match. The class suits sailors in the 50 to 85 kilogram range and rewards technical precision above all else.
Jo Aleh began her Olympic sailing career in the Europe dinghy class and went on to become the first woman to sail as part of a New Zealand America's Cup team.
Ten competitors have entered the national championship. Nelson Yacht Club brings the largest contingent, with five boats on the start line. Former South Island champion Tim Fraser-Harris leads the home club's entry, joined by Anna Davis, Patrick Harris, Oliver Fellows, and Sally Roff. Antje Muller, representing Opua Cruising Club, arrives with a strong record across both veteran and open Europe competition. David Davies makes the trip from Charteris Beach Yacht Club, while Derek Drebner and David Brown sail for Howick Sailing Club. Tim Scott rounds out the field, representing Pleasant Point Yacht Club.
Seven races are scheduled across the two days, each targeting a 30-minute race time. Racing gets under way on Saturday morning within the wider Whakatu Regatta programme.
