Big fleet expected at Mitre 10 Mega NZ Paper Tiger National Champs

by Rowdy Leatham on 19 Dec 2011
There will be plenty of action off the Taranaki Coast early in January when the New Plymouth Yacht Club host the 2012 Mitre 10 Mega New Zealand Paper Tiger Nationals from January 1 to 6.

The event will see over 50 boats from all over the country competing in spectacular fashion off Port Taranaki with the racing format expected to produce some very tight results.

The event will see the overall National Title, as well as the B and C Grade titles contested meaning that every competitor throughout the fleet will be fighting for every position.

With a wide range of competitors participating other titles that will be decided during the week long competition include 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.

Back to defend his title will be Dave Shaw from Nelson Sailing Club. Shaw will be sailing for a second consecutive national title after taking the title in his first year in the class at the 2011 championships in Wellington. However, there are also a number of new younger sailors in the class plus experienced hands that are true title contenders and will make Shaw's defence of the title very difficult.

Another favourite will be Wellington sailor Glenn Syman who came agornisingly close to taking his first national title when the championships were last held off New Plymouth in 2008.

The junior title will be a fierce battle between Nathan Percy (Napier), Dylan Taylor (New Plymouth), past International Junior Champion Sean Syman (Wellington), current National Junior Champion Stuart Sutherland (New Plymouth), as well as current International Junior Champion Jamie Hatch (New Plymouth).

The Women's Title will see local New Plymouth sailor Pauline Sutherland taking on her Wellington counter-parts Lynley Manning and Jane Thomassen.

The Regatta also doubles as the selection trials for the New Zealand Team to compete at the Paper Tiger Internationals at Easter 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. This will add extra spice to the event with competitors eager to finish in the 'Top 10' and gain selection into the New Zealand National Team.
The New Zealand Team are currently International Team Champions and everyone is keen to be part of the team that will attempt to defend the title in Melbourne at Easter.

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)

w: www.papertiger.org.nz