Preston defends Paper Tiger NZ Nationals at Napier

6:57 AM Sun 10 Jan 2010 GMT

'1st Place Bob Preston - 2010 PT Nationals' Glenn Syman Click Here to view large photo

After four days of fun and serious racing the current champ Bob Preston from Nelson successfully defended his NZ National Paper Tiger Championship at Napier.

Bob has won the national title five times, the first in 1978 making second equal with P Gray behind John Thomson with seven wins.

The four days provided a variety of conditions, the first having a building sea breeze, the second for its strong unpredictable NW'ly coming off the ranges, the third for the strong S'ly off the plains and the fourth with another sea breeze. What better way to sail a regatta?

On the second day there several pitchpoling manoeuvres undertaken, including John Beavis, several bent masts and one broken mast.

The ten placed skippers will represent NZ in the Interdoms to be held at Easter in Napier.

Bob Preston
Mark Bell
Peter Robbins
Scott Pederson (the only skipper to get 2 bullets)
Scott Barker
John Kennett
Hayden Percy
Ryan Leatham
Jamie Sutherland
Wayne Hayman

The fleet is split into 3 groups A, B & C which is based on the sailing ability of the skippers.

A group (top 24% at last years nationals)
1st Bob Preston
2nd Mark Bell
3th Peter Robbins

B Group
1st Scott Pederson (A group next regatta)
2nd Hayden Percy
3rd Ryan Leathan
Great to see 4 B groups in the top ten.

C Group
1st Stuart Taylor (B group next regatta)
2nd John Beavis
3nd Jamie Hatch

1st Great grand master
Ian Maclennan

1st Grand Master
Selwyn Pedersen

1st Veteran
Bob Preston

1st Junior
Carl Syman

1st Women
Lynley Manning

Most improved skipper (numbers of places gained in consecutive regattas)
John Beavis

The Fresh Water Champion (which is held over the season at 4 locations - best of 3) Lake Wairarapa, Lake Ngatoro, North Island Champs, Turangi, Lake Taupo Mighty River Power Regatta.

Last seasons champ was Scott Pedersen