| Shaw dominates 2013 New Zealand Paper Tiger National Champs |
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There was plenty of action off Maraetai Beach over Auckland Anniversary Weekend when the Maraetai Sailing Club hosted the 2013 New Zealand Paper Tiger National Championships from January 24 to 28. The event saw over 47 boats from all over the country competing in spectacular fashion in the Tamaki Straits with the racing producing some very tight results. The event was the overall National Title, as well as the B and C Grade titles contested meaning that every competitor throughout the fleet was fighting for every position. With a wide range of competitors participating other titles decided during the week long competition included the New Zealand Women's Title, The Junior (Under 21 Years) Title, The Veteran's (50-59 years) Title, The Grand Masters (60-64 years) Title, and the Great Grand Masters (65+ years) Title. Dave Shaw (Nelson) took the overall National Title following a magnificent and dominant performance during the entire week. Shaw finished with a 21 point lead over second placed Scott Pedersen (Napier), while Ryan 'Rowdy' Leatham (New Plymouth/Wellington) rounded out the top three in what was an enthralling battle from Race One. The junior title was a fierce battle between Nathan Percy (Napier), current International champion Dylan Taylor (New Plymouth), and past International Junior Champion Jamie Hatch (New Plymouth). After eight tight races Taylor came out on top by winning race 7 of the regatta and claiming his second junior national title and finish 15th overall (one point ahead of his father). The Women's Title saw local New Plymouth sailor Hillary Sutherland taking on her Wellington counter-parts Lynley Manning and Jane Thomassen. Manning (Evans Bay) took out the title to go with the 8 times she has previously won it. Following a tight tussle at the top of the B Grade, Mike Hood (Worser Bay, Wellington) has taken the title with seventh Place overall. Scott Hodges (New Plymouth) finished a close second in 10th overall and Jamie Hatch (New Plymouth) took third place. The C Grade title was won by Leo Pritt (New Plymouth), who took the title ahead of Greg Shadolt (Muritai, Wellington) and Matt Phipps (Howick, Auckland). The Regatta also doubled as the selection trials for the New Zealand Team to compete at the Paper Tiger Internationals at Easter 2013 in Wellington. This added extra spice to the event with competitors eager to finish in the 'Top 10' and gain selection into the New Zealand National Team who will attempt to regain the International Team Title which was lost to Australia by the narrowest of margins in 2012. A huge thanks to the team at Maraetai Sailing Club for their fantastic hospitality, and thanks to the Race Management Team and all the volunteers from around the country, without the volunteers the regatta would not have happened! The Organising Committee and the New Zealand Paper Tiger Owners Association would also like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution to the event: Lighthouse Real Estate, Pic's Peanut Butter, Aquapro, Boating New Zealand, Mobile Auto Marine Electrical, Suzuki Marine, Engine Room Creative Ltd. Overall results decided during the event include: 1st Dave Shaw PT 3084 Feral Nelson Yacht Club 2nd Scott Pedersen PT 3070 Double Vision Napier Sailing Club 3rd Ryan (Rowdy) Leatham PT 3007 License to Thrill New Plymouth Yacht Club/Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club 4th Mark Orams PT3010 Animal Print Pants Torbay Sailing Club 5th Scott Barker PT 3075 Bad Boy Muritai Yacht Club 6th Richard Dent PT 3025 Ultra High Modulus Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club 7th Mike Hood PT 3095 The Package Worser Bay Boating Club 8th Peter Robins PT 3088 Runaway Train Muritai Yacht Club 9th Hayden Percy PT 3073 Aquaholic Napier Sailing Club 10th Scott Hodges PT 821 Flyer New Plymouth Yacht Club Other titles also decided during the regatta: National 'B' Grade 1st Mike Hood PT 3095 The Package WorseBay Boating Club 2nd Scott Hodges PT 821 Flyer New Plymouth Yacht Club 3rd Jamie Hatch PT 2634 Roar Speed New Plymouth Yacht Club National 'C' Grade 1st Leo Pritt PT 3008 All that Jazz New Plymouth Yacht Club 2nd Greg Shadbolt PT 822 Abby Cat Muritai Yacht Club 3rd Matt Phipps PT 2891 Turbo Tone Howick Sailing Club National Women's Champion 1st Lynley Manning PT 2800 One Fish Two Fish Evans Boat Yacht & Motor Boat Club 2nd Jane Thomassen PT 3045 Pom Puss Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club 3rd Hillary Sutherland PT 2935 Wild Thing New Plymouth Yacht Club National Junior (Under 21 years) Champion 1st Dylan Taylor PT 2351 Smugg New Plymouth Yacht Club 2nd Jamie Hatch PT 2634 Roar Speed New Plymouth Yacht Club 3rd Nathan Percy PT 2812 Captain Morgan Napier Sailing Club Veterans (50-59 years) Champion 1st Peter Robins PT 3088 Runaway Train Muritai Yacht Club 2nd Mark Bell PT 2862 Totally Wired Torbay Sailing Club 3rd Denis Leatham PT 2988 Learning to Fly New Plymouth Yacht Club Grandmasters (60-64 years) Champion 1st Bob Preston PT 3106 Miss Dynex Nelson Yacht Club 2nd Selwyn Pedersen PT 3105 Tru Blu Napier Sailing Club 3rd Richard Martin PT 2987 Butterfly Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club Great Grandmasters (65+ years) Champion 1st Ian MacLennan PT 2820 Love over Gold Takapuna Sailing Club 2nd Norm Codd PT 2933 Panther Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club For full results see: http://papertiger.org.nz/Results/Paper%20Tiger%20Results(6).pdf Footage from the regatta can be found on the TVNZ website at: http://tvnz.co.nz/sailing-news/resurgence-inexpensive-yacht-video-5327617 Photos taken by Emma Hatch to follow. For further information please contact Ryan (Rowdy) Leatham on 027 636 6465 or rnleatham@gmail.com Ryan (Rowdy) Leatham Publicity Officer New Zealand Paper Tiger Owners Association e: rnleatham@gmail.com w: www.papertiger.org.nz
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