P Class Tanner Cup at Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club - Day 1

The sparkling waters of Tauranga Harbour greeted the 21 Entries for the 81th Anniversary of the Coombes Johnston BMW Tanner Cup for 2024.

"This is NZ's oldest class of yachts still being raced regularly around NZ" says Gary Smith, of the TYPBC. "It is great to see the 5 Provinces represented by 21 sailors from around NZ"

P Class 81st Tanner Cup Day 1: Nelsen Meacham (P888) - photo © Gary Smith

A light NE of 5 to 7 knots with the promise of a sea breeze, and the Race Officer sent everyone out on the water.

A clean first start, helped by an incoming tide holding everyone back and the defending Champion Oli Stone (P75) lead the fleet around the first mark. However, he was chased by Aruthur Rebback(P30) a very determined Nathan Soper(P373). The shifty light conditions had the fleet keeping close, with Nathan Soper winning the race by his bow handle!!

P Class 81st Tanner Cup Day 1: Arran Begic (P22) - photo © Gary Smith

Race two and we all thought the breeze was settling in. Another clean start and Aaron Begic (P22) stole the show. A blinding first beat as he came in from the starboard lay line, while some of the previous top sailors were having their own tussle. He was eventually run down by Nelsen Meacham(P888), who won the race from Aaron.

The third race of the day and the expected seabreeze did not arrive. It stayed light and a little shifty as the tide reached the turn at high tide. Finloe Gates (P40) showed som e great light weather skills to lead the race from start to finish to post the biggest winning margin of the day of 45s.

P Class 81st Tanner Cup Day 1: Hugo Smith (P10) - photo © Gary Smith

With three different winning boats on the first day, there are 4 boats close on points.

Day two is three more races to complete the Tanner Cup interprovincial championship.

Results after Day 1: