Young 88 National Championships

17 & 18 April 2010

2009 Regatta: In April this year the very competitive Young 88 fleet battled it out for their National Championships. Twenty-seven boats took part in this regatta sailed in the waters to the north of Rangitoto.
Once again, conditions were near perfect for the eight windward/ leeward races, with an easterly breeze of 11 - 14 knots almost constant for the entire two days.
The very consistent Triple 8 took out the series this year (they were 2nd in 2008 & 1st in 2007) but this time without owner Roger Pagani at the helm. Roger was overseas, so Rod Davis stepped in to skipper the boat. View full results below 2009 Results - Line

2009 Results - Handicap

The History of the Tanaka Cup

The Tanaka Cup is named in honour of Tanaka san a Japanese business who was the agent for Roger Land Yachts in Japan and who imported a number of 88's to Japan.  With the demise of Roger Land Yachts he acquired the Young 88 moulds and moved them to Princess Motor Yachts and appointed them as the licensed builder of the Young 88.  Unfortunately Princess Motor Yachts when into receivership and the moulds were in danger of being lost in the aftermath of winding up of the company.

At this time Colin Carran a life member of the Y88 Owners Association and a Squadron Committee Member, became involved and commenced negotiations with representatives of Tanaka san's company to ensure the survival of the moulds.  The result was that the moulds were gifted to the association along with the condition that a major trophy contested by the class be named after Tanaka san hence the Tanaka Cup.

The National Championships has always attracted so called 'rock stars' sailors so the Y88 Owners Association Committee felt that the Tanaka Cup should be awarded to the first owner/drive at the National Championship in order to provide recognition of the achievement by the boat owner.

Since it's inception in 2000 the Tanaka Cup has been keenly contested and produced strong rivalry between the Auckland and Tauranga boats and from this aspect it has some similarity to the America's Cup.

The Tanaka Cup was first contested in 2000 after been 'donated' by Auckland was won by Peter Blackie from Tauranga, for the next two years the cup stayed in Tauranga.  In 2003 the cup returned to Auckland for the first time thanks to the efforts of Graeme Duncalf who finished second in the Nationals in 2002.

2009 Results

2008 Results

2007 Results

2006 Results

2005 Results

2004 Results

2003 Results

2002 Results

2001 Results

2000 Results

1999 Results