First step on America's Cup road

JULIE ASH looks at the humble P class that bred America's Cup heroes Dean Barker (left) and Russell Coutts.

As the two black boats NZL81 and NZL82 sail past, competitors in the P class nationals look up in awe and dream of one day racing in events such as the America's Cup, the Olympics or a round-the-world yacht race.

If past P class champions are anything to go by, many of these young sailors have plenty to look forward to.

After learning to sail in Optimists, the P class is the first step in competitive sailing.

The Tanner and Tauranga Cups are awarded to the best P class sailors in the country - making them two of the most sought after trophies in New Zealand sailing.

GBR challenge syndicate manager David Barnes, Oracle BMW Racing skipper Chris Dickson, Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts, Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker and former America's Cup helmswoman Leslie Egnot have all claimed either or both of the trophies.

The Tanner and Tauranga Cups are always sailed in the first week of January.

This year both regattas are at Auckland's Murrays Bay, which will also host the Starling nationals, which start tomorrow.

The Tanner Cup, which was held over three days this week, is an interprovincial competition.

To race you have to be top of your region.

This year 13 sailors competed in six fleet races.

James Williamson, representing the Auckland area, was first. Second was Riley Dean from Canterbury and third Rowan Swanson from Wanganui/Manawatu.

Yachting New Zealand's national programme co-ordinator Julie Worth observed the Tanner Cup and was impressed with what she saw.

"There wasn't a clear leader," she said.

"There were a number of people who were up there which shows a good depth of talent throughout the country."

Yesterday, 104 sailors began the battle for the Tauranga Cup in a four-day regatta.

"Each year if you can secure 100 or more competitors, it is a pretty special event," said event spokesman Ivan Raos.

The Tauranga Cup, previously known as the Mellish Cup, was first awarded in 1940 for interprovincial competition.

Competition lapsed during the Second World War but was reinstated in 1944 as an interclub competition. Any sailor who is a financial member of a sailing club is eligible to enter.

Harry Highet designed the P class in Whangarei and it made its first appearance at the Onerahi New Year's Day regatta in 1920.

It was Highet's aim to design a safe boat for children to sail which was easy to manage and couldn't sink.

The sharp bow has been replaced by a snub nose and the hull, sail and mast materials have changed with the times, but the design is still basically the same as 64 years ago.

Highet shifted to Tauranga and a fleet of P class boats was soon established.

The boat was called the Tauranga and issued with the sail insignia P (for primer class), by which it is known today.

The class is designed for those under-17 and is best suited to sailors under 45kg before they move on to the Starling class.

Worth said the P class has provided the perfect start for some of New Zealand's best yachties.

"In 10 years' time you could easily see those sailors competing in the America's Cup," she said.

"If you look around the current America's Cup teams and past round-the-world yacht race teams, most of our sailors have started out in the P class."

* The Starling interprovincial competition involving 12 competitors runs from tomorrow until Monday while the national event with 108 entrants will be sailed from Tuesday to Saturday.

Both the P class and Starling regattas have been organised by the Murrays Bay Sailing Club, the Torbay Sailing Club, the Kohimarama Yacht Club and the Howick Sailing Club.