Strong New Zealand Team for International event in Wellington

by Rowdy Leatham on 27 Mar 2013
A strong New Zealand Paper Tiger Team heads for Wellington this Easter weekend for the 2013 Swire Shipping International Paper Tiger Catamaran Championships.

The venue is Muritai Yacht Club, on the eastern shores of Wellington Harbour. Muritai is familiar to many Paper Tiger sailors from both Australia and New Zealand, and has a strong history of running national championships, however this will be the first time the class has hosted an International event this location.

The club is nestled on the Eastern shores of Wellington Harbour with Eastbourne and Days Bay being location landmarks which the general public will be familiar with.

Another record fleet, 50 of the best Paper Tiger Skippers from Australia and New Zealand will be fighting to win the ultimate prize in the class. The fleet will comprise the national teams and invited skippers, based on firm criteria of performance in national and state championships in both countries.

The prospect of selection for their national teams always provides a bit of extra 'juice' for Australian and New Zealand skippers competing for a 'top ten' placing and national team selection at their respective national championships

The Australia vs New Zealand teams challenge is regarded as an important reason for the success of the Paper Tiger class over its four decade history.

The New Zealand Team are looking to reclaim the International Teams Trophy that they lost by the narrowest of margins in Melbourne last year. However a strong performance will be required from every member of the Kiwi Team if they are to be successful.

Dave Shaw from Nelson, New Zealand will be looking to defend his Individual title which he claimed in Melbourne, however he will not have things all his own way with strong competition from Australia's current National Champion Bruce Rose.

Other Australian's that are expected to be a force include past champions Bryan Anderson (two titles) & mark Wiggins. Other New Zealanders expected to be in 'the mix' at the front of the fleet include Scott Pedersen (Napier), Peter Robins (Wellington), Scott Barker (Wellington) and Mike Hood (Wellington).

Results can be followed on the Muritai Yacht Club's website, with updates expected each day following racing.

New Zealand KIWI team to compete for the International Teams Trophy:
Dave Shaw PT 3084 - Feral (Nelson Yacht Club)
Scott Pedersen PT 3070 - Double Vision (Napier Sailing Club)
Ryan Leatham PT 3007 - Moneypenny (New Plymouth Yacht Club/Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club)
Scott Barker PT 3075 - Bad Boy (Muritai Yacht Club)
Richard Dent PT 3025 - Ultra High Modulus (Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club)
PeMike Hood PT 3095 - The Package (Muritai Yacht Club)
Peter Robins PT 3088 - Runaway Train (Muritai Yacht Club)
Hayden Percy PT 3073 - Aquaholic (Napier Sailing Club)
Scott Hodges PT 821 - Flyer (New Plymouth Yacht Club)
Ian MacLennan PT 2820 - Love Over Gold (Takapuna Boating Club)

Australia KANGAROO team to compete for the International Teams Trophy:
Bruce Rose PT 3036 - The Apprentice (Tasmania)
Alex Craig PT 3033 - Need for Speed (Victoria)
Bryan Anderson PT 2958 - Fly'n Bry'n (Victoria)
Luke Stout PT3031 - Speed Demon (Victoria)
Mark Wiggins PT 3104 - Firestorm (Victoria)
Joshua Thorpe PT 2833 - For Xternal Use Only (Victoria)
Mike Wold PT 3050 - Boy at Heart (Victoria)
Tony Hastings PT 2901 - Tigerdelic (New South Wales)
Jacob MacDonald PT 3052 -Magic Marine (Victoria)
Andrew Barnard PT 2861 - Psyclone (Tasmania)