Busy weekend for the Paper Tiger fleet

by Rowdy Leatham on 21 Nov 2012
It is a busy weekend for Paper Tiger sailing in New Zealand this weekend, with two regattas being hosted in the North Island simultaneously.

With over 40 boats expected to be competing across the two locations, competition will be fierce with the regattas being a good prelude to the Nationals taking place in New Plymouth at New Year.

Ngaroto Regatta
The 2012-13 Paper Tiger North Island Freshwater Series continues this weekend with the Ngaroto Regatta being hosted by the Ngaroto Sailing Club.

The event will see up to 30 Paper Tigers from all over the North Island competing in close quarters racing on the confines of Lake Ngaroto just north of Te Awamutu, racing as always is expected to produce some very tight results.

The event will see competitors throughout the fleet fighting for every position as they attempt to take out the Regatta as well as gain points towards the overall North Island Freshwater Series Title which concludes in Taupo mid March 2012.

Contenders for the overall Regatta Title include past winners Terry Valder, Richard Dent, Doug Ferguson (defending Champion), Mark Bell. However you can guarantee they will be chased hard by other potential regatta winners including Hayden Percy and Ian MacLennan.

The regatta will be the first event for a few new sailors to the Paper Tiger fleet who will be introduced to the excitement of the close quarters and confined racing on the lake, along with the great social side of the fleet. So a special welcome to Scott Hodges (New Plymouth), Jason Crowe (New Plymouth) and Mark Orams (Torbay).

East Coast Champs
The 2012 East Coast Champs are being hosted by the Napier Sailing Club.

The regatta should see around a dozen Paper Tigers blasting around Hawke Bay competing to be named the 2012 East Coast Champion. Local sailor Scott Pedersen on Double Vision will be a hot favourite for the title, however Scott Barker on Bad Boy, Peter Robins on Runaway Train, along with Mike Hood in his brand new boat 'The Package' will not allow Pedersen to have it all his own way.

The Paper Tiger is a catamaran designed by Ron Given of New Zealand in 1968. It is widely sailed in New Zealand and Australia.

Paper Tiger Overall Dimensions
Length: 14 ft (4.3m)
Width: 7ft (2.2m)
Minimum Weight: 110 lbs (50kg)
Sail Area: 100 sq ft (9.2 m2)

www.papertiger.org.nz