Yachting: Cole Rippey well placed to win Cup

Bay of Plenty's rep Cole Rippey is the clear leader after day1 of the Tanner Cup held on Tauranga Harbour. Photo/George Novak

Day one of the 90th running of the Tanner Cup got underway on Tauranga Harbour yesterday.

The national event has the top eight under-17 yachties competing over two days with Tauranga's Cole Rippey representing Bay of Plenty.

Eight boats had some fantastic racing after the fleet were given a send off by three-time winner Jimmy Gilpin, and headed off to sail in 8-12 knots of northerly.

The first two races were sailed in neutral tide and a steady breeze. Local Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club sailor Rippey won the first two races with some very close competition from Jackson Keon (Northland) and Kate Stewart (North Harbour).

The fleet returned for lunch as the front started to build over the Kaimais and went out for a third race sailed in the strong outgoing current in 12-18 knots of NN westerly.

Again in very close racing Rippey got his third win for the day and is in a very strong position to win the event previously won by yachting luminaries Chris Dickson, Russell Coutts, Dean Barker, Craig Monk and Joe Aleh.

The fleet hit the beach to be greeted by some of Tauranga's New Zealand Sailing team members in Peter Burling and Sam and Molly Meech.

Racing gets under way from 10.30am today with prizegiving expected around 5pm at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club at Sulphur Point.