A week-long nautical jubilee, marking the historic centenary celebration of P Class sailing in Tauranga has drawn to a close on the Tauranga harbour.

For a record breaking third time, two sailors from an Auckland youth yacht club have successfully defended the Tauranga Cup and the Naomi James Trophy.

Two Kohimaramara YC sailors have defended their National titles in the 100th Tauranga Cup, with Oli Stone successfully defending the Tauranga Cup, and Bella Jenkins doing the same in the Girls title for the Naomi James Trophy.

Oli Stone won Race 7 on Day 3 to start his day off to defend the Coombes Johnston BMW NZ P Class National Championship title, the Tauranga Cup.

"It was a tightly fought race with Finloe Gaites (P40) as these two cleared out from the fleet," says TYPBC member, contest organiser and P Class Measurer for the last 18 years, Gary Smith.

Bella Jenkins sailing a P class on January 9, 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

Race 8, took a General Recall, to get the race away.

"This time Callum Hyde (P404) with a decisive tack, lead the fleet from start to finish. Although Nelsen Meacham(P888) chased him hard and closed the lead down to 15 seconds at the finish," says Gary.

"By this time Oli Stone had a reasonable overall lead as the competitors that were close on points leading into the day had started to find the Race Officers T3 courses to be quite long."

Gary says the sea breeze was really pumping in for the final race.

"A clear start from the get go and this time Arthur Rebbeck (P30) had the fleet in the rear view mirror, but the ever present Oli Stone was just behind him. Three winners from three races today.

Trophy Winners - P class - 2024 Tauranga Cup, January 9, 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

This gave Oli Stone back to back NZ P Class Championship titles, having won last year in Plimmerton.

“Tauranga is such a great place to sail, with the seabreeze kicking in, and the tides to contend with," says Oli.

Gary says Bella Jenkins (P898) had a handy lead going into the final race for the Girls results.

"However Race 7 was the worst race of the contest for Jenkins and Sasha White (P959) had a 12th to grab the best result for the girls.

"Greta Hutton (P80) then had the best girls result for race 8.

"But in the final race Jenkins came back to cement her record breaking third win for the Naomi James Trophy for top Girl at the National P Class Champs."

Gary says her father Luke was heard to say “Bella might be keen to do one more yet!!”

Lachy Wills - P class - 2024 Tauranga Cup, January 9, 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

The prizegiving for the Centenary regatta was held at the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club on Tuesday afternoon.

"The huge effort put in by the volunteers to run this event was acknowledged by all the competitors and parents," says Gary.

A special celebration included some of the past champions.

“Jimmy Gilpin was star of the event,” says Gary.

"Jimmy Gilpin is the only sailor to have done a three-peat winning the Tauranga Cup three successive years in 1951, 1952 and 1953. Seventy years later, Bella Jenkins has matched this feat with the Naomi James Trophy."

Gary says everyone is already making plans for the next contest to be held at Lyttleton next January.

Final Results: www.sailwave.com/results/TYPBC_Tauranga_Cup_2024.htm

Nelsen Meachem - P class - 2024 Tauranga Cup, January 9, 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.

Hugo Smith - P class - 2024 Tauranga Cup, January 9, 2024, Tauranga. Photo: Gary Smith.