Issue date
The anticipation is building within the New Zealand Paper Tiger fleet as the 2015-16 regatta season kicks off this weekend.
Dates and venues for the 2015-16season have been finalized and it all kicks off in Rotorua on the 17th of October with the Horowhenua Cup being contested at the Rotorua Yacht Club Sprint Regatta.
Image: 2015 National Champ and Veteran National Champ Mark Orams
The reason for the Horowhenua Cup being contested in Rotorua (more than 350km north of Horowhenua) is long and complicated; and better discussed over a rum (or two), because all good stories are better with rum!
Image: 2015 National Champsionship 2nd place Dave Shaw
The 2015-16 will see the following regattas:
|
17-18 Oct 2015 |
Rotorua Sprints Regatta (Horowhenua Cup) |
|
31 Oct/1 Nov 2015 |
South Island Paper Tiger Champs |
|
14-15 Nov 2015 |
Ngaroto Yacht Club Paper Tiger Regatta |
|
28-29 Nov 2015 |
Napier Sailing Club East Coast Champs |
|
5-6 Dec 2015 |
Sir Peter Blake Regatta (Torbay Sailing Club) |
|
30-31 Jan 2016 |
New Plymouth Yacht Club Regatta |
|
6-8 Feb 2016 |
New Zealand Masters Games (Otago Yacht Club) |
|
27-28 Feb 2016 |
North Island Catamaran Champs (Turangi Yacht Club) |
|
12-13 Mar 2016 |
Lake Taupo Yacht Club Regatta |
|
9-10 Apr 2016 |
Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club Regatta |
The 2014-15 season saw more than 65 different sailors competing in NZ Paper Tiger sanctioned events. This season promises to be hotly contested by boats from throughout the country.
Image: Hayden Percy in action
The regattas this year will also be used as practice by the New Zealand fleet in the build up to the New Zealand Nationals and International Selection Trials being hosted by Torbay Sailing Club in early February, before the final build up to the International Paper Tiger Championships at Royal Akarana Yacht Club over Easter.
|
5-9 Feb 2016 |
2016 New Zealand National Championships & International Selection Trials (Torbay Sailing Club) |
|
24-28 Mar 2016 |
2016 Paper Tiger Catamaran International Championships (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) |
The Paper Tiger fleet is the largest catamaran class in NZ and enjoys an active annual racing and social calendar. This includes a number of championship regattas in the North and South Island, as well as the National Championships, all of which are spread geographically to provide top racing opportunities to all the fleet and to support local clubs.
All NZPTOA recognised regattas are contested at three grading levels (A, B and C) to ensure close competition for competitors at all levels of experience, encouraging the development of skills.
The Paper Tiger also has a strong presence in Australia with regular International events contested between the New Zealand and Australian fleets.
The Paper Tiger is a catamaran designed by Ron Given of New Zealand in 1968. It is widely sailed in New Zealand and Australia.
Image: Gareth Moore in action
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)
For further information please contact Ryan (Rowdy) Leatham on 027 636 6465 or rnleatham@gmail.com
