Audi Etchells Australian Champs ready to roll

by Suellen Hurling on 11 Jan 2008
Crews are ready for the off at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron for the Audi Etchells Australian Championship being held on the waters of Moreton Bay from the 11-18 January.

Peter McNeill, together with Meter McLachlan and Anthony Merrington will be back on Moreton Bay after McNeills recent win in the Audi Etchells Queensland Championship.

Sailing great John Bertrand teaming up with Ernest Lawrence and Jake Newman will be hitting the water and hoping to improve on the seventh place at the Queensland Championship.

After gaining second in the Queensland Championship, Jason Muir with Matt Chew, Paul Wyatt and a yet to be named fourth crew member will be in force and ready to pounce to gain the gold medal position on home waters.

Although absent from the recent Queensland Championship, Skip Lissiman, Andy Feather, Keith Swinton and Mike Tyquin will be hot on the heals of his 2007 Australian Championship win and is looking for back-to-back titles.

Melbourne sailor and 2004 Australian Championship winner Mark Bulka with Stephen Young and James Ryssenbeck will be looking to outsmart their competitors and take home another title.

Local sailors, club championship, fleet champions and Audi Spring Series Champions Vaughan Prentice, Darren Hutchison, Will Thompson and Chris Anderson will use their extensive knowledge of Moreton Bay waters to tackle the 46 strong fleet. Training with Mark Bradford, Ben Durham and Wade Morgan, these locals will have the inside advantage over their visiting rivals.

With measuring and weigh-in scheduled for Friday and Saturday the crews will enjoy a cocktail party on Saturday evening signifying the opening of the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship. As well as the racing schedule, the huge social program will ensure the sailors have a fantastic time whilst visiting the Squadron and the local Brisbane Etchells Fleet home club.

Sponsors Gage Roads Brewery and Fish Café will put on an afternoon of beer and prawns and a feast of BBQ’s are also planned during the regatta.

Racing commences on Sunday 13 January and spectators are welcome to watch the world class racing.

Further information: www.etchellsregattas0708.com