AMBASSADOR'S TROPHY.

• Author: Middleton, Angus

On 29 April, Wellington's Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club (RPNYC) held the 23rd annual Ambassadors' Trophy Race in beautiful sunny sailing conditions on Wellington Harbour. The race in its current format was established by former Commodore Murray Bridge and his good friend Carlos Appelgren, ambassador of Chile to New Zealand, to commemorate Chile's National Day on 23 September 2000. It was established to encourage all club members, ambassadors and other dignitaries to enjoy a day on the water and a drink at the RPNYC.

The event has continued to grow to include boats racing and boats cruising to watch the racing. This year seventeen embassies were represented with 44 ambassadors and guests paired up with boats from the RPNYC, Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club and Lowry Bay Yacht Club, to sail a four-leg course from Oriental Bay to Kaiwharawhara and Worser Bay before returning to Oriental Bay.

Wellington branch chair Angus Middleton represented the NZIIA at the event, joining Team Poland sailing on the Jesse...