YACHTING - Rorvik scoops trophy as Bay's yachties rule waves

Bay of Plenty sailors had a great start to the P-Class and Starling nationals when they took out both of the warm-up events at Parua Bay over the weekend.
The Bay's Oscar Rorvik continued his good form from Saturday in racing yesterday, with a third win in the 11-strong fleet to finish with 11 points - good enough to win the Tanner Trophy by four points.
The Tanner Cup is competed between provincial representatives in P-Class boats. One discard was available in the seven-race series and Rorvik needed that yesterday after a rough start saw him fail to finish the first race. He bounced back with a third in the sixth race and won the last race to wrap up the title.
On Saturday, Rorvik led the first race from start to finish and in lighter conditions in the second race achieved the same result.
He was chased all the way on day one by Hawke's Bay's Sam Mackay but a protest followed by a disqualification in race four saw Mackay on shaky ground for the second day. The pressure did not get to him though and he won the fourth race. A fifth and a fourth in the final two races consigned him to second place.
Canterbury's Gareth Moore, one of the heaviest competitors in the class, showed his talent by coming through to win the fourth race on Saturday. He was second overnight but, with two seconds and a third yesterday, he finished level on points with Mackay. He had to settle for third with fewer race wins to his name in the series.
Auckland's Andrew McKenzie was fourth overall and Northland competitor Natasha Sheldon finished the series in ninth place.
In the Starling Interprovincial matchracing series, defending champion Thomas Saunders from the Bay of Plenty also had a great start to his contest with a fine win. He went through the 13 races in the series undefeated. The win sends out a clear message to all his competitors that he will be difficult to beat in the national series that starts today.
North Harbour's Chris Steele improved one place from his overnight position on Saturday, to finish in second place. Northland sailor Grant Hamilton, sailing a boat he built himself over the winter, finished in third place ahead of Josh Edmonds in fourth.
Whangarei Cruising Club spokesman Mike Wright said the dress rehearsal for the main event had been helpful for the volunteers.
"We're refining a few things as we go and the volunteers are doing an amazing amount of work, but we're trying to encourage a carnival attitude out here and it seems to be working," he said.