P Class Centenary Race - America's Cup champion goes back to his beginnings
by Gary Smith 6 Jan 22:14 NZDT
4-9 January 2024
The P Class celebrated their Centenary today, with a race for the Centenary Trophy sponsored by RAM3D.
The Centenary trophy was a special one off race. A spectacular Tauranga day greeted the entrants as they headed out for a 1400hrs start.
A General Recall was signalled after the first start as everyone was jostling on a start line with 50 boats. A “U” flag start was then called and with this threat, everyone was away cleanly.
The top 10 places were dominated by Auckland. Callum Hyde (P404) showed the fleet his transom as Oil Stone and Nathan Sopher had a battle behind him. Awesome sailing in 15 to 20 kts of NNW sea breeze meant the fleet really had to hike hard. There were a few capsizes and lots of great sailing photos.
In the final beat Oli Stone trapped Callum Hyde out on the wrong side of the top mark and was not headed over the final reach.
Results: www.sailwave.com/results/TYPBC_P_Class_Centenary_Trophy_2024.htm
The fleet then headed to the Beach. We were joined for the day by some of Tauranga’s favorite Olympians and ETNZ and ex P Class sailors, Peter Burling, Molly and Sam Meech. They spent the morning chatting to the entrants, and then Peter and Sam headed out for a sail.
They were joined by some previous P Class sailors, and parents. There were few capsizes, but everyone made it back after sailing in 15 to 20 knots of breeze.
Peter Burling enjoyed the sail in his old boat (P942) now sailed by Harry Strang. “I forgot how much helm there is on these boats,” the double America's Cup champion, and Olympic medalist remarked after his sail. Olympic Bronze medalist Sam Meech also enjoyed his return to P Class.
While "P Class parents" are legendary in the class, the tables were turned today when a few of the sailors got to advise their parents on how their boats should be sailed!
A great afternoon was had by everyone involved in the event.
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