Top P Class yachties compete for title

Blake McGlashan holds aloft the Wihau Shield. Photo / Supplied

Over the weekend 14 P Class boats lined up for the annual Wihau Shield challenge.
This event attracts top sailors from all around the North Island with six of the top 10 boats nationally entered.

The first day of the two-day regatta was a late start with variable winds. Racing began at 2.30pm and the first two races had steady breeze of 5 to 10 knots from the north.

Tauranga sailor Max Scott won line honours in both with Joel Kennedy (Tauranga) showing top five consistency. The third race saw a rain front come through with the wind swinging around to the east and dropping down to 5 knots with a mind of its own.

Tim Roper from Warkworth took the win with Scott second and Tanner Cup champion from North Harbour in Blake McGlashan third. This race knocked Tauranga's hot favourites Lachlan Dillon and James Barnett out of the Wihau challenge into the Secretary's Cup.

The wind died after the third race so the Wihau challengers for Sunday were decided after three races not four.

The second day started much as the first but quickly it become apparent the wind was going to come in on time. The first race was perfect down the middle conditions, with Scott in Battle Cry taking his third win of the regatta with McGlashan second.

The wind built up to 15-20 knots lifting the waves and making difficult conditions.

Defending champ Joel Kennedy won with again McGlashan second in Urban Reptile after a capsize. McGlashan took the third race in P Shooter with Scott behind him in Urban Reptile for a second. At this point the wind increased to a steady 30 knots.

Race officer Warren Belk made the call and patrol boats come in to collect the boats that were in trouble. Roper breaking a boom and plenty of tired bodies needing a help in against the wind and tide to return to the sanctuary of the Tauranga club.

In the final analysis, national champion Blake McGlashan had pipped Max Scott by a single point with Tim Roper third and Joel Kennedy and Sydney Cunliffe making up the top five.

The Secretary's Cup was won by James Barnett (Tauranga) ahead of Lachlan Dillon (Tauranga) and Callum McRae from Maraetai.