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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