Dead calm, then blown away – P-class racers need a break
Becalmed one-day, vexed the next, was the scenario as swirling wind gusting up to 38 knots in Tasman Bay forced racing to be abandoned on day two of the Tanner Cup yesterday.
Racing in the P-class National Championship, hosted by the Nelson Yacht Club, was called off yesterday afternoon with only four of the scheduled six races completed. The interprovincial Tanner Cup was awarded based on results from two shortened days of racing.
Leonard Takahashi-Fry of Whanganui-Manawatu claimed the Tanner Cup for winner of the championship series, as well as the John Thompson Trophy for first place in the first race of the championship.
The Gisborne Cup for second place went to North Harbour’s Cameron Moss, while the Otago Cup for third place went to Cole Rippey from the Bay of Plenty.
On Sunday, racing was abandoned because of light winds. Organisers got their wish for more wind yesterday, but sadly it was too much of a good thing and time was called with 38-knot (70kmh) winds capsizing boats. Racing is generally called off in winds over 25 knots.
David McKee of the Nelson Yacht Club said after having both extremes, he hoped conditions would be just right for the rest of the regatta.
‘‘It was like all the sailors went home and prayed for wind, and we got 12 times as much as we wanted.
‘‘[Today] we are starting the Tauranga Cup and we are praying for conditions to be favourable so that we can get the nine races in over the next three days.’’
Racing in the open national championship Tauranga Cup was due to begin today and continue until Thursday, with nine races scheduled.
Among other trophies up for grabs over the final three days of action are the Naomi James Challenge Trophy, which goes to the highest placed girl in the championship.
The Harry Highet Silver Salver will be awarded to the winner of the first race in the championship series.
The P-class nationals are for sailors aged up to 16 years.