Sailing on day two of the P Class Centenary Tanner Cup in Tauranga was slightly delayed due to a slight breeze at the start of the day.

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club member and P Class Measurer for the last 18 years, Gary Smith, says the delay allowed them time for a photo of the 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Tanner Cup Entrants.

Read here for the history of the P Class.

The 21 entrants for the 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Tanner Cup. Photo: Gary Smith.

The fickle breeze kicked in around 12pm, and the sailors were sent out on to the Tauranga Harbour.

Gary says they also got to meet Pauline Tanner, the granddaughter of George Tanner who donated the trophy in 1945 in memory of two of his sons who died in WW2.

George was a very keen sailor from Wellington.

Pauline Tanner with the Tanner Cup. Photo: Gary Smith.

“It was another day of some sailors getting it right or very wrong.  At the first mark of race four, Aaron Begic (P22) lead the fleet around chased by Nathan Sopher (P373). 

“With the chasing fleet often holding one another up and fleet spread out a little.  Aaron was second to Oli Stone (P75). However, Oli subsequently took a Scoring Penalty to be relegated to eight points.”

Nathan Sopher in the P373 gets away in clear air. 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Group Tanner Cup, January 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

The start of the race. 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Group Tanner Cup, January 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

Race two and the northerly wind was again light. 

By this time, Gary says they also had a little drizzle to keep the sailors hydrated. 

He says the Kaimai Range disappeared into the gathering rain.

Again, Aaron Begic (P22) led around the first mark. 

However this time Nathan Sopher (P373) and Oil Stone (P75) were able to overtake him and finished first and second respectively. 

The rain and a brief 100 degree shift to the SW and 12 knots of breeze, gave hope to some of the heavier sailors. But the fickle Tauranga Breeze was not finished yet. 

Thomas Linklater - 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Group Tanner Cup, January 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

Gary says another shift back to the NW, had the mark layers working hard shifting the marks again.

“Another light race and after two General Recalls the fleet drifted up to the top mark with the tide now turning to run out. Nathan Sopher led around the one lap race, as the fleet was shortened to finish at the bottom mark. Oli Stone was second in this race too.

“The final day was subject to a couple of protests, so the final result was in limbo for an hour or so.

“Congratulations to Nathan Sopher for winning the Tanner Cup for 2024. Oli Stone was second and Arthur Rebbeck third.”

Arthur Rebbeck sailing in the 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Group Tanner Cup, January 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

Today is the measuring for the Tauranga Cup (The Open NZ National Champs for P Class) with racing for this starting on Sunday.

Later this afternoon is the Centenary Race for the one off trophy, this will be followed by a Fathers/Mothers/Coaches/Supporters race. 

For full results, click on the link below:

https://www.sailwave.com/results/TYPBC_Tanner_Cup2024.htm

Mila Blundell sailing the P899 in the 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Group Tanner Cup, January 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

Gary Smith getting some practice out on the water in the P51 - 2024 Coombes Johnston BMW Group Tanner Cup, January 2024, Tauranga. . Photo: Supplied.