The relatively new sport of kiteboard course racing is now firmly established in Tauranga, just weeks after getting the nod as an event for the 2016 Olympics.

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club is the first in the country to run a regular racing programme for kiters with the second round of racing featuring 10 kiters competing in three races over a windward/leeward course.

Kiteboarding in Tauranga. Photos: Supplied.

TYPBC spokesperson Stuart Pederson says kiters came from Tauranga, Auckland, Raglan and New Caledonia to compete on Sunday, and despite the absence of local kiting guru Glenn Bright, currently in the Cook Islands, competition was fierce.

Launching from Kulim Park, the kite course was set in the Otumoetai channel, a few hundred metres upwind from the course area used by the sailing dinghies and sailboards.

Stuart says a good westerly breeze made for some excellent racing until it dropped part way through the third race and left some kiters unable to finish.

He says all but one returned to shore unaided.

Top honours went to Matt Taggart of Raglan, with two firsts and a second.

He was followed by Dave Robertson of Auckland, with a first, second and third, and Craig Roberts from Raglan, with a second, third and fourth.

First local was Royce Whitaker in fourth place overall.

The next race is scheduled for Sunday, July 8 with a briefing at Sulphur Point at 10.30am.