In June 2018, Zealous Sailing Oy became incorporated in Finland. The Helsinki based performance sailing and coaching company will continue the work of New Zealand owned and operated Zealous Sailing Limited in Europe. Head Coach Sam McKenzie had been motivated for some time to establish a permanent base in Europe and the timing could not have been better.
“I’ve wanted to set up Zealous in Europe for a long time now. We've had a successful couple of years growing our clinics and training programmes and with some exciting developments ahead it felt like the right time to establish something permanent. Setting up Zealous in Finland is a real commitment to support Finnish youth sailing long term - It's a commitment to the future.” said McKenzie.
Since 2014 Zealous Sailing Limited has been running sailing programmes and coaching clinics across New Zealand and Europe with regular events occurring across New Zealand, Finland, Ireland and Latvia. McKenzie, based out of Helsinki for the past few years sensed the limitation of operating a New Zealand company from abroad. “Zealous Sailing Limited will continue to operate, however establishing Zealous Sailing Oy will allow us to build our brand in Europe in a much more economical fashion. We now have the ability to follow our strategic plan with real direction. We are able to bring on new coaches and develop our programmes to benefit the sailors, clubs and national organisations that we work with.”
In the immediate future Zealous Sailing Oy will work in Ireland with a specialised group of young athletes and work with the Finnish Optimist Association (FODA) Worlds Team during their championship in Cyprus in August. “We’re currently working with a great group of young athletes in Ireland and Finland that certainly have their sights set high.” said McKenzie. “We’re looking forward to helping them achieve their goals!”
Zealous Sailing Oy will continue to operate Performance Coaching Services and Clinic as well as their trade mark Strategic Season Programme. McKenzie, also working on a club level, will continue his preparing the Finnish 29er Team for the World Sailing Youth Championships in Texas this July. “I’m really looking forward to both Kieler Woche and Gydnia Sailing Days EuroCup in June. After a quick week off we’ll be on our way to Texas for the World Sailing Youth Championships. It’s been an exciting season with the 9er sailors so far – I’m confident their hard work will pay off.”
Zealous Sailing Oy | Finland
Zealous Sailing Ltd | New Zealand