The Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat club is hosting the 59th Zephyr class national championships next week, with a fleet of 50 contestants from throughout the country on their way to town.

Competitors will gather at the Sulphur Point venue tomorrow for measuring, and enjoy an invitation event on Tuesday before New Zealand's longest established one-design yacht class contest begins on Wednesday.

Bob Smyth and Ian Watson sailing their Zephyrs in Tauranga Harbour.

Co-organiser Geoff Collins says a local contingent of 10 zephyr sailors hope to capitalise on some home advantage.

'The Zephyr yacht was originally designed and built by well-known Auckland designer Des Townson in the mid-1950s, initially as a stepping-stone to the larger Olympic Finn class.

A long-standing feature of the boats is the gleaming varnished decks, but new technology has also been incorporated into various parts of construction to futureproof this nationally-administered class, says Geoff.

'Most of the yachts in the championship are fully restored and still as competitive as the day they were built.

'This contest will see Kiwi sailors who've competed at Olympic and America's Cup level – and many are multiple national yachting champions and club champions.”

Nine trophies are at stake, with the overall national trophy held by multiple-winner Tim Snedden.

'Several contenders are expected to provide a healthy challenge for the title this year,” says Geoff.

There's also age-division trophies, and a heavy-weight trophy for the top sailor, of more than 90kg.

A new award, introduced by the Tauranga club, is the Fresh Breeze trophy for the top sailor who hasn't previously won a national sailing contest as helmsperson, or finished in the top five in a previous Zephyr class nationals.

Geoff says there's also an active social programme for the duration of the regatta, with the highlight the contest dinner with local guest speaker Jimmy Gilpin, who remains unbeaten as three-time winner of the revered P Class National championships.

Geoff says the public can easily view the contest daily from Tuesday, February 10, from the TYPBC premises, or the rigging area on the Sulphur Point.

Prizegiving is mid-late afternoon next Saturday, February 14, at TYPBC, Sulphur Point. See www.yacht.org.nz