Paper Tiger Catamaran National Championships - Record broken

by Travis Woods on 11 Jan 2015 2015 Paper Tiger Catamaran National Championships - Victorian Bryan Anderson has broken his own record for National titles, to notch up an incredible eighth win in the 2015 Australian Paper Tiger Championships, which concluded in Lauderdale TAS on Friday. However, it was undoubtedly one of the hardest fought, and was only decided on the last windward beat, of the final race.

Light and shifty conditions dominated the final two days of racing, with the lightweight skippers of the fleet revelling in the flat seas. Race nine saw local sailor Rob Cracknel (Mac Attack) finally turn his light weather speed into a dominating win. Race 10 delivered Luke Stout (Goin’ Wild) his second victory of the series, after fighting off the early challengers.

The final day of racing had the top three overall separated by just four points, and the overcast and light conditions would ensure a tense conclusion to the series. A late wind shift just before the start of Race Eleven, saw a log jam of boats unable to lay the pin end of the line, but Bruce Rose (The Apprentice) was able to avoid the carnage and sail to a much needed win. With series leader Bryan Anderson in third, and second place overall Mark Wiggins (Firestorm) having a tough race, it became a race in two for the title.

As the two contenders went blow for blow in the five - seven knot SE breeze of Race 12, it was Jason Dunsmore (Unknown Zone) who slipped through for his maiden nationals race win. Moments later Bryan Anderson, who held off a late challenge from Bruce Rose just 100m from the line, crossed in sixth place and sealed his eighth national crown.

A huge thanks must go to the Lauderdale Yacht Club volunteers on and off the water, and the Tas Paper Tiger Catamaran Association, who gave so much time and effort before and during the series to make it such a success.

Attention now turns to the International Series at Kurnell Catamaran Club in NSW at Easter, where the top ten from this regatta, plus selected invitees, will do battle with the best New Zealand Paper Tiger talent, from across the ditch.

 Overall Results:

Rank	Fleet	Boat	SailNo		Club	HelmName	Nat
1st	A	Fly'n Bry'n		2958	McCrae YC	Bryan Anderson	Vic
2nd	A	The Apprentice		3036	Lauderdale	Bruce Rose	Tas
3rd	A	Firestorm		3104	McCrae YC	Mark Wiggins	Vic
4th	A	Unknown Zone		2117	McCrae YC	Jason Dunsmore	Vic
5th	A	Go'n Wild		3131	McCrae YC	Luke Stout	Vic
6th	B	Mac Attack		3100	Lauderdale	Rob Cracknell	Tas
7th	A	Shadow Boxing		3086	Wagga Wagga SC	Gregory Williams	NSW
8th	B	Reco		2912	McCrae YC	Ben Deed	Vic
9th	A	Need for Speed		3033	McCrae YC	Alex Craig	Vic
10th	B	Sssmokin Billy		2997	Lauderdale	Sean Keady	Tas