Teen sailor moves on to P-Class nationals

TEENAGE RAMPAGE: The fleet of young sailors hailing from as far south as Lyttleton currently contesting the Tauranga Cup P-Class national championship at Waitangi this week.

Northland's Tanner Cup hope James Sheldon eventually finished in eighth place overall as the prestigious 2016 Tanner Cup P-Class inter-provincial championship was wrapped up at Waitangi on Monday.

Held on familiar waters, 13-year-old Sheldon, from the hosting Bay of Islands Yacht Club, eventually succumbed to tough competition from his rivals, while the top three places were claimed by Robbie McCutcheon (Wanganui/Manawatu) 1, Campbell Stanton (Auckland) 2, and Josh Berry (Poverty Bay) 3.

Placed fourth on the ladder after the first day of competition, albeit on equal points with the second and third placegetters, Sheldon was unable to maintain his early form in what was described as difficult conditions on day two of the event which became a disastrous day for the local teen.

The inter-provincial event began on Sunday and was contested by a fleet of 10 sailors aged between 12 and 17, each representing their New Zealand province.

All have now joined an estimated fleet of 40 teenage sailors hailing from as far south as Lyttleton to contest the Tauranga Cup P-Class national championships.

The nationals started on Tuesday and are set to run until Friday. A report from the hosting club noted conditions for the second day of the Tauranga Cup were quite light but with another warm summer's day on the cards, 10-knot sea breezes should prevail and provide very pleasant sailing conditions in the afternoon.

Many if not all of the sailors are expected to stay on once the event is completed to take part in the Starling North Island Championships being contested in two divisions, under-19 and open (although both will be sailed together) this weekend.

All three events - Tanner Cup from January 10-11, Tauranga Cup from January 12-15, and Starling NI champs from January 16 and 17 - are being hosted by the Bay of Islands Yacht Club.