2010 Swire Shipping Paper Tiger Catamaran International Championships
by Nickolas Radovanovic on 5 Apr 2010
Mark Bell, Bob Preston & Hayden Percy in race six, day three. - 2010 Swire Shipping Paper Tiger Catamaran International Championships Nickolas Radovanovic
Only one race was scheduled for day four of the Swire Shipping 2010 Paper Tiger Catamaran International Championships, in Napier.
Conditions were more challenging today, though still relatively light, as the breeze and sea varied markedly throughout the course and the race. Although Ian Marcovitch clinched the individual title in yesterday's last race, he and runner up, Mark Bell, were both out on the water today, taking seventh and third respectively.
In the final overall standings, the ever competitive Bell ended up only two points behind Marcovitch after eight races, despite Marcovitch's 5 wins. Current NZ Champion, Bob Preston, had a discarded 10th placing today and held on to third place overall, as Hayden Percy could only manage a 12th and was leap-frogged by fellow young Kiwi, Ryan Leatham, who added another second after a thrilling three way finish.
Race eight was Bryan Anderson's race, as the 2004 International Champion from Victoria took advantage of a reasonable breeze at the start to round the top mark first, followed by Leathams, Ryan and Denis. As the breeze started to die away and vary, Marcovitch and Bell started gaining and, with a longer race set, the fleet separated markedly. Eventually Bell, Anderson and Ryan Leatham were in a scrap for first, well ahead of Denis Leatham, Alex Craig, Peter Robins and Marcovitch, who were clear of the following pack in their own tussle for fourth.
The top three exchanged the lead several times and the final beat to the finish made for a great way to end the competition. Anderson held the advantage as they approached the line and Bell, who still had a chance to finish level on points with Marcovitch, threw a last gasp tack to find a way past Anderson, which gave Leatham the inch he needed to take second. Peter Robins won the battle for fourth.
The win slipped Anderson into the top ten behind multi-champ, Peter Anderson, but other than Marcovitch, the leader board was filled with Kiwis. Scott Barker was a comfortable sixth behind Percy, with John Thomson seventh, just a point ahead of local legend, Selwyn Pedersen. Team Kiwi were comprehensive winners over Team Kangaroo and New Plymouth's Jamie Hatch is the 2010 International Junior Champion.
Napier Sailing Club was praised not only as a popular sailing venue but also for its support and administration during the event. Ian Marcovitch made particular mention of the quality of the race officials. Race Officer, Tim Sandall, and Club Manager, Lyle Tresadern, were singled out for their roles in what has been a very successful regatta.
Final overall results on http://www.napiersailingclub.org.nz/
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