Dawson leads by slim margin at Tanner Cup after first day

by Sutter Schumacher on 10 Jan 2010
North Harbour sailor Erica Dawson leads after Day 1 of the Davie Norris Boatbuilders 2010 Tanner Cup, hosted by Naval Point Club Lyttelton.

Hot on Dawson's heels are William Linkhorn representing Auckland, Keith Inglis of Hawkes Bay, and Charlotte Corston of Canterbury. After four races, just one point separates each competitor in the top four places. This means tomorrow is a make-it-or-break-it day where fortunes can easily change in the final 3 scheduled races.

Up for grabs is a piece of New Zealand yachting history. Whoever makes it through at the top of the heap will be crowned the 2010 New Zealand P Class interprovincial champion and have their name engraved alongside previous Tanner Cup winners including Des Towson, Russell Coutts, Dean Barker, Peter Evans and Jo Aleh.

But just getting through today was a solid accomplishment for sailors and race officials, alike. The sailors, each representing one of 10 provinces from around the country, had to contend with a wide variety of wind and weather. Course conditions off Church Bay on Lyttelton Harbour ranged from puffy northwesterlies to a solid northeasterly breeze. The weather was just as variable, with overcast skies and spits of rain finally clearing to let the sun shine through.

Provisional overall results after the first 4 races:

1) Erica Dawson, North Harbour, 11 points (4-3-2-2)
2) William Linkhorn, Auckland, 12 points (1-4-6-1)
3) Keith Inglis, Hawkes Bay, 13 points (2-6-1-4)
4) Charlotte Corston, Canterbury, 14 points (3-2-3-6)
5) Gen Saunders, Bay of Plenty, 17 points (8-1-5-3)
6) Taylor Burn, Marlborough, 20 points (6-5-4-5)
7) Isaac McHardie, Waikato/Thames, 31 points (5-8-10-8)
8) Matthew Morrison, South Canterbury, 31 points (7-7-8-9)
9) William Eastman, Wellington, 33 points (9-10-7-7)
10) Andrew Shearer, Otago, 38 points (10-9-9-10)