P Class Tauranga Cup: Hamish Brown has handy lead after Day 2
by Gary Smith 9 Jan 00:20 NZDT
4-9 January 2024
Another day with three different skippers winning the three races sailed on Day 2 of the 100th Tauranga Cup, being sailed at Tauranga, the birthplace of the class.
Racing was delayed until 1300 as the sea breeze kicked in late in the day for the second day of sailing in the 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW P Class NZ National Championship.
Racing was very close between the front six boats with the lead changing several times as the fleet completed a two lap course. Hamish Brown (P308) was leading until a last minute penalty turn allowed Nathan Soper(P373) in for the first win of the day.
In Race 5 Hamish Brown (P308) came out with a point to prove and led the race from start to finish. At one point he was over 40seconds in front. Nathan Soper (P373) was chasing hard, and a great battle was on for third and fourth between Nelsen Meacham(P888) and Arran Begic (P22).
Arthur Rebbeck(P30) sailing Ninja capitalized on a great start, in Race 6 to lead the fleet around the course for a win and Nathan Soper second.
The girls have been in the lead group around the course in each race with Bella Jenkins (P989) being the first home in each race to lead the Naomi James Trophy.
Sailing today was punctuated by General Recalls. Initially starting the day on “P” flag, this quickly accelerated to the “U Flag” as it was taking two or three starts to get the fleet away.
By Race 6 first start under “U” being a recall, the Black Flag came out and the race finally got away. A few of the sailors were caught by the tide, and also the PRO.
There was a lucky save for Tehya Harris(P44) (Murrays Bay) as she crossed the finish line for Race 5, her port should broke near the swage at the top. Spotted by her coach a quick yell went out and she was directed over to a Wakatere Support boat that had a spare set of stays on board. The port stay was swapped out, and she joined back in for the final race.
By the end of the day the boats are safely tucked up in front of the TYPBC, ready for a final day tomorrow.
Full Results after Day 2: www.sailwave.com/results/TYPBC_Tauranga_Cup_2024.htm
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