Etchells 2015 Australian Championship – Look out for the ‘newbie’

by John Curnow on 11 Dec 2014 In Etchells terms, a dozen years still means you can call yourself a bit of a newbie. Chris Hampton does, but it is a little more self-effacing than completely accurate. This ‘newbie’ already has a string of impressive results on the scoreboard. They’re made all the more so by the fact that Chris had never sailed before joining the Etchells family and his only boats since have been Etchells. His current vessel is AUS874, Tango.

'I first stepped onto a yacht in 2001 and it happened to be an Etchells. I purchased my first yacht in mid 2002 from John Bertrand. It was AUS947, named Two Saints and a Magpie. The entire name, barring Magpie was then removed, which still remains in place today. Didn’t know it then, but there was my first tactical mistake in Etchells - selling Magpie to Graeme Taylor some years later', said Hampton with wry smile.

Hampton sailed with the legendary Tom King on the helm in 2002/03 season, before Tom relocated to Sydney. Chris then took over the helm and started up the steep learning curve at the back of the Melbourne Fleet, '… typically through mistakes. Having spent 25 years working 24/7, it was a refreshing challenge to start coming to terms with the wind, principles of lift, racing tactics and so on. I really have enjoyed finding the time to devote to it all. The whole thing is incredibly challenging and wonderfully rewarding.'

'Having just missed out on qualifying for the 2009 Melbourne Worlds, I decided to get more serious, devoting more time and have since competed in the last five World Championships and most Australian events, as well.' Hampton has enjoyed sailing with other Etchells notables like Bucky Smith and Ian ‘Biggles’ Johnson, as well as recently benefitting from some insightful coaching input from Mike Fletcher.

Like many, Hampton headed to the USA in 2014 to be part of the near as good enough 100 boat fleet at the 2014 Etchells World Championship at Newport, R.I. They were a very credible 25th. 'It is a fantastic location and the sailing was wonderful. We had the benefit of two lead up events, extensive two-boat tuning and short course racing before the Worlds. Our highlight at Newport was in Race Five, when the boys picked up an approaching change, we won the start at the pin end, tacked on to port and crossed the fleet clear ahead and comfortably lead around the top mark.'

Hampton went on to say, 'Our most recent event was the North American Championships in Chicago in September, where we finished eight overall with a second and third placing in the tally! Barney Walker joined me in March. I’m very happy to have Barney on board. He’s a sailor with enormous natural ability and extensive experience. Probably fair to say Barney is still coming to terms with the need to 'hike on occasions' when on an Etchells!'

Chris and Barney are being joined for Adelaide by well-regarded Etchells head, Ben Morrison-Jack. It will be their first regatta together. Hampton feels they are a little under-prepared for the Nationals and will therefore be on the water from Friday, 9 January, hoping that there will be others around to tune up against. 'It is amazing how tweaky the Etchells are and how the smallest tuning adjustment can have such a big impact on relative performance. I am still very much on the learning curve and finding it harder to gain places, as we get closer to the pointy end. Our results still tend to be up and down, so we are aiming for more consistency.' A look at recent titles will show that often you win when you do not even have a bullet against your name…

'We are very much looking forward to the competition in Adelaide and sailing against the best in Australia in this terrific class', said Hampton in closing.

One could hardly apply the adjective, ‘new’, when talking about this next person. About the only thing you could say is that should there be success in Adelaide, the taste of victory will not be new, but the specific trophy will indeed be a new addition to the cabinet.

Cameron Miles won the 1999 Etchells World Championship when the Pittwater Fleet hosted them and they raced offshore on the Palm Beach Circle. Miles has also had two second and a few third placings, along with some top tens at other Etchells worlds. Cameron is also the reigning Melges 24 Corinthian World Champion. The Aussie Etchells title has eluded him thus far and as he says, '…. it does serve as great inspiration!'

'My school mate from Pittwater High, Grant Crowle, is on the main and the bowman is Dave Sampson. I really hope Doug McGain and crew are going to make the journey to Adelaide, as they have been sailing really well down on Sydney Harbour. We’re also very keen to race against some of the new breed, as they are doing a really good job. This is just great for the class. Getting a lot of new people involved in this premier of One Design classes is simply fantastic, and then it is even better that they doing well.'

'Additionally, we are specifically looking forward to sailing once more in Adelaide. It’s a great place and only problem is we just don’t get to go there too much! You can’t help thinking that it will be the Clash of the Titans, so it will be wonderful stuff to be a part of and also for those watching', said Miles.

Newest of the new goes to Brisbane Etchells Fleet Captain, John Warlow. No. He’s not new, his boat is. 'It has already been a long road to Adelaide for me, and we haven’t even left yet! The decision to buy the latest Hull from Phil Smidmore’s Pacesetter Etchells back in August was a big step in itself. Then ensued the intensive fitting out program, all the while still sailing the old boat. Finally the big day for launching arrived in early November and now we’re in the huge tuning process associated with a completely new boat and sails. Mark ‘Squark’ Bradford from North Sails has been very helpful in getting our head around the new North’s gear by coming out and giving us some tips whilst we were on the water.'

'We have been sailing as much as possible and hitting the outside course to get used to the big seas we expect to find down there. The boat has been going great, now with six wins straight on the board, just to give us a bit of confidence before Team XY come out of retirement and get serious once more. I am really looking forward to seeing how we go.'

'I actually enjoy the road trip to Adelaide its not often you get to dodge emus as well as kangaroos, and the cricket should be on as well, so we wont get bored. Once we’d made the big decision and pulled the trigger there was never any doubt we were coming to Adelaide. See ya in January' said the irrepressible Warlow.

Now what’s better than one? Two, of course. The newest prize is an extra North Sails jib, so that makes two that will be awarded at the regatta. One will be the traditional mid-fleet trophy and the other will be for some other very lucky owner and crew who will no doubt have to be there for every race and may be somewhere around the two thirds of the way down level and could do with a handy bit of kit to get some extra pace. Nice work, indeed!

Still need some motivation to come along to Adelaide for January 11-16, 2015? There are a couple of lease craft available, should you not wish to take your own craft. Please contact the Fleet Captain, Andrew Waterman, if you would like to look at this option. Also, still rooms at The Lakes Resort Hotel at West Lakes. It will be a busy time in Adelaide, as cycling’s Tour Down Under is on at the same time. Rooms start from $175p.n, including breakfast. Use the Group Reference Number, 100525 when making your booking. Remember there is not much around and Glenelg is about 30-40 minutes away and that is the only other place with accommodation. Get your entry in before December 19, so as to avoid the $150 late fee.

Newbie or old hand? No problem – lots of new around Etchells in Australia. You can begin your Etchells journey and gather all the necessary information on the Etchells Australian Championship at www.etchells.org.au See your Fleet Captain about getting part of the $10k travel subsidy to assist you, should you choose to get on the road again – cue the Willie Nelson or not. Don’t think it’s the Rodney Rude!