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C L U B YA C H T I N G
C L U B YA C H T I N G
GWEN SLADE LADIES’ ETCHELLS
R E G AT TA
T

Sailing is a family
involved sport based
on fun with winning
not being the major
objective.
Race Results
1. Flirtation
Lucy Shephard
he Gwen Slade Ladies’ Etchells
Regatta was created by Life
Member and world-class sailor,
William Russell Slade in honour
of his late wife, Gwen Slade.
Russell Slade was a prominent face of
sailing in the 1960s, having competed in the
Olympics and being a strong competitor in
16ft Skiffs and 5.5m class boats he was also
the first person to build a Fibreglass yacht in
Australia, Janzoon II.
Russell, as described by his son, Paul Slade,
was a very passionate man and envision that
sailing is a family involved sport based on fun
with winning not being the major objective.
Russell’s love for One design racing lead to
the choice of boat and development of the
Gwen Slade Regatta. The Etchells was chosen
as it was a growing class and the simplicity
factor would help promote the inclusion of
advanced and beginner sailors. With a little
media help from the Packers, Russell was able
to launch the first Gwen Slade Ladies Regatta
in 1981.
Today, the regatta is still going
strong with the RPAYC hosting it every
year in conjunction with the Pittwater
Etchells association.
This year’s Gwen Slade title was awarded
to Flirtation skippered by Lucy Shephard who
took the win with an impressive score card of
1 3,1,1. Hot on her heels and itching to take
the crown was Alex Murray who skippered
Northern Havoc and ended up only one point
behind with a scorecard of 1,3,2 to take 2nd.
In third place was Annie Taylor and team
racing 2107 Racing.
Thank you to all of the Etchells owners
for assisting with providing their boats for this
great event.
2. Northern Havoc
Alex Murray
3. 2107 Racing
Annie Taylor
4. Whisper
Evelyn Foster
5. PAM
Sarah Parker
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