CLUB YACHTING
ETCHELLS REPORT
EXCITEMENT BUILDS TOWARDS THE ETCHELLS NSW STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club members competed in several Etchells Championships during 2015 / 16. There are opportunities for RPAYC members to sail in the NSW Etchells State Championship to be held at RPAYC in November 2016, and in the Etchells National Championship which will be hosted by RPAYC in January 2017. Many sailors consider these championships to provide the most high-level and competitive keel-boat fleet racing in Australia.
Sailing in a major Etchells Championship is amazing as the fleet includes a broad range of abilities from World Champions, Olympians, elite professional sailors, elite amateur sailors, and club sailors – all in the same race, and sometimes in the same boat. There are not many sports where club-level sports people can compete on the same course at the same time as the best in the world! So it’ s a great opportunity for RPAYC members to experience sailing in two championships that may well provide some of their best racing experiences ever! See the RPAYC website or contact the RPAYC Sailing Office for more information. There’ s also a great opportunity to be involved in these regattas by volunteering.
In the previous season RPAYC members were successful at the Etchells National Championship held at Royal Brighton Yacht Club in January 2016. Congratulations to RPAYC member Richie Allanson, who, along with his team mates on Magpie, won the 2016 Etchells National Championship after 46 Etchells competed in variable and challenging conditions. Top 40 came fourth, skippered by Peter( Billy) Merrington, sailing with RPAYC Member and Youth Development Program graduate Ian McKillop, and with Richard( Ricky) Macgarvie. Top 40 was cheered on by owner and RPAYC Member Geoff Bonouvrie on a RIB. Bruce Ferguson’ s“ Whisper” team placed 11th. Bruce’ s team included RPAYC Members Cameron Miles( an Etchells World Champion) and Malcolm Parker. Odyssey had a very successful Nationals achieving 21st, which continues Odyssey’ s ongoing improvement. Helmed by RPAYC Member Jill Connell, sailing with top pro-sailors Wade( Bubs) Morgan and Ben Lamb( Lamby.)
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