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The Wihau Shield is one of the biggest trophies in New Zealand sailing and it was won last weekend by one of the smallest competing in the P Class regatta.
Liam Richards of the Wakatere Boating Club won a nail-biting last race in the top-five shootout to clinch the event from Joe Leith (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) on countback, with Oli Stone (Kohimarama Yacht Club) third.
That trio were joined in the final by Wakatere duo Andrew Jensen and Cam Brown, rounding out a good weekend for sailors form the Devonport club.
A unique feature of the event is the swapping of boats for the final, which is intended to level the playing field and tests a sailor’s ability to master different boats. Adding to the complexity was the fact Sunday’s racing was done in a light 5-6 knots north-westerly, which was in stark contrast to the wind and rain of qualifying the previous day.
The light winds meant only two of the five races were completed, with Richards winning the all-important final race.
The rest of the fleet contested the Secretaries Cup on the final day, with local Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club sailor William Poole edging Josh Hilder (WBC) on countback. Finn Olson (MBSC) was third and Bella Jenkins (KYC) finished as the top female.
The Wihau Shield, which is 13kg and measures 90cm x 70cm, was first sailed for in 1942 but disappeared off the calendar in 1998. For nearly 20 years, it sat under a bench at the Rotorua Yacht Club before it was revived.
Results and standings from the Wihau Shield and Secretaries Cup at the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club:
Wihau Shield (5 boats)
1st: Liam Richards (WBC) 2 1 - 3 points
2nd: Joe Leith (MBSC) 1 2 - 3 pts
3rd: Oli Stone (KYC) 4 3 - 7 pts
Secretaries Cup (21 boats)
1st: William Poole (TYPBC) 29 pts
2nd: Josh Hilder (WBC) 29 pts
3rd: Finn Olson (MBSC) 40 pts
