Yesterday was the second day of the 2026 P Class Nationals Tauranga Cup, and Blake Batten continues to hold first place overall. Under increased pressure from the Tauranga Cup fleet, Batten recorded a discarded 13.0 result in fleet race 4, the first race of the day, after receiving a scoring penalty.
Fleet race 4 results were led by Caleb Perano, with Hamish Brown third, Luca Blundell fourth, Lauchy Wills fifth, and Blake Batten finishing outside the top placings due to his penalty.
Fleet race 5 saw Lauchy Wills lift his game, taking a well-earned win ahead of Luca Blundell in second and Blake Batten in third.
In fleet race 6, Lewis Snape showed clean lines and strong pace to finish first, followed by Blake Batten in second and Lauchy Wills in third. Hamish Brown was disqualified in the same race.
The most consistent improver yesterday was Lauchy Wills, whose results moved him into second overall, with Hamish Brown dropping to third.
Overall standings
1st: Blake Batten, 11 nett points
2nd: Lauchy Wills, 15 nett points
3rd: Hamish Brown, 16 nett points
Perhaps more telling are the total points, with Blake Batten on 24 and Lauchy Wills close behind on 25.
With three fleet races still to sail and today’s expected 14-16 knot gusty southwesterlies, the Tauranga Cup remains wide open, and the final outcome is far from settled.
