2019 Tanner Cup at Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club - Day 1

Busy start for Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club © EBYMBC

The 2019 Tanner Cup kicked off this morning with the first race sailed in a "gentle" Wellington Northerly breeze of 18kts at the start before building to a bit more towards the end.

Race one was taken out by Mason Mulcahy representing North Harbour, ahead of Blake Hinsley and Charlie Morton (both Auckland).

In conditions that tested the fleet it was fantastic to see all 18 boats complete the course and record a finish time. An especially fine effort for those sailors weighing in under 40kg.

The end of race 1 saw the breeze increase slightly and the fleet was sent ashore for a well-deserved lunch break to await the forecast drop in wind.

Race two got under way at 1645hrs in a still strong northerly of 20-25kts. There were some exciting rides downhill and Hinsley won by a significant margin ahead of Mulcahy, McGlashan (North Harbour) and Rowan Kensington (Auckland) who all finished within 10 seconds.

Race three started in a 15-18kts and continued to drop during the race (much to the relief of many sailors). The change in breeze didn't seem to impact the results too much with Hinsley stepping clear on the first lap, leaving Mulcahy and Morton to have a great battle for second place with only 1 second between them on the finish line.

Overall racing is tight with one point between first and second, while 10th to 13th overall is separated by three points.

Full results can be found on the EBYMBC website at www.ebymbc.org.nz/tanner-tauranga-cup