Audi Etchells Worlds – Bertrand's back but Muir looks dangerous

Audi Etchells Worlds 2009 Andrea Francolini / Audi http://www.afrancolini.com

John Bertrand © Andrea Francolini / Audi http://www.afrancolini.com

With the second place finish, Bertrand was able to drop the 86 place for yesterdays black flag, and move back to the top of the table with a five point lead over Jason Muir and a further ten points over Britain's Stuart Childeley. These three, together with winner Graeme Taylor, were the front runners today.

Although Bertrand leads, it is Muir who holds the best hand going into the final three races. His discard is a tenth place, while Bertrand has an 86 and Childerley a 59, and Laurence Mead, in fourth, has a 53 discard. This puts the pressure on those around Muir to avoid another high score and with Muir sailing so consistently this looks like it will go right to the final race.

Competitors agree that the Race Management team, headed by PRO Ross Wilson, are doing a remarkable job. The team has had a tough job setting courses and moving marks in oscillating winds.

Today was difficult as the course was about to be laid when the wind shifted to the north and so it was up stumps in winds that varied between 16-22 knots, the pressure dropping down to 16 as the race went on, the breeze oscillating either side of north throughout.

Three suffered under the black flag rule today. Rob Brown (AUS), Mark Bradford (AUS) and Dan O’Grady (IRL) were Black Flagged on the second attempt at a start after an earlier general recall.

At the top mark, GT aka Graham Taylor, with his Skandia skipper Grant Wharington and Ben Morrison-Jack, were the first around the top mark ahead of John Bertrand. On the first run there were gusts of 27 knots. Taylor still led from Stuart Childerley who sailed through Bertrand. Dave Clark was fourth, with Jason Muir fifth. It was difficult to count back to Jud Smith, he was mid-fleet (ouch .. 37th it turned out).

Audi Etchells Worlds 2009, Brighton Yacht Club, Melbourne (AUS) - 12/03/09
BEDROCK © Andrea Francolini / Audi http://www.afrancolini.com

Up the second beat Bertrand climbed through Childerley and closed on Taylor, the winds were dropping back to 16's down the run, and it was Bertrand just ahead of Taylor again.

It was desperately close at the top of the third beat. But Bertrand had to tack for the finish line and Taylor and crew just beat him by half a boat length. Third was the 2001 and 2002 world champion Stuart Childerley, ahead of this morning's regatta leader Jason Muir.

Fifth across the line was Noel Paterson (AUS), sixth was Dave Clark (AUS) ahead of Chris Busch (USA). Eighth was Damien King (AUS). At the bottom mark Jud Smith was still gasping for air in 23rd place (he finished 16th).

Dirk van der Struf retired with a broken boom.

Overall Results - Audi Etchells World Championship 2009

Pl	Name	Sail Num	Bow Num	Club /Cty	1	2	3	4	5	6	Total Points	Net Points
1	BERTRAND, John PALFREY, Andrew AINSLIE, Ben	1383	54	AUS	3	11	1	(86) BFD	4	2	107	21
2	MUIR, Jason CHEW, Matthew WYATT, Paul SMITH, Bucky	874	58	AUS	(10)	5	5	7	5	4	36	26
3	CHILDERLEY, Stuart ELLIOTT, Robert RICHMOND, Sam	987	61	GBR	4	(59)	3	11	15	3	95	36
4	MEAD, Laurence LAWRENCE, Phil YATES, Andrew	1339	33	GBR	7	(53)	9	2	12	14	97	44
5	SMITH, Judd JOHNSON, Mark BURFOOT, Nik	1377	71	AUS	(18)	13	4	13	1	16	65	47
6	BUSCH, Chris HOUGH, Chad SINKS, Chuck HUGHES, David	969	42	USA	2	(60)	2	6	32	7	109	49
7	KING, Damien CUNNINGTON, Simon WARE, James BUTLER, Andrew	924	04	AUS	15	3	23	(38)	3	8	90	52
8	CLARK, David SMITH, Andrew LEONARD, Sean	876	15	AUS	1	(48)	11	20	27	6	113	65
9	GARNER, Brendan SCHILT, Michael CLARK, Tim	1131	48	AUS	17	28	10	10	2	(38)	105	67
10	DRENNAN, Noel JARVIN, Steven MCCARTHY, William	1215	67	AUS	21	1	20	5	(24)	23	94	70
11	BULKA, Mark YOUNG, Steve RYSSENBEEK, James	1338	50	AUS	14	(29)	19	24	7	13	106	77
12	SAVAGE, John JOHNSTONE, Wayne MACQUET, Jean-Pierre	1237	70	AUS	12	14	22	12	(59)	18	137	78
13	JOHNSON, Ian WALKER, Ian EDE, Timothy	1318	22	AUS	20	10	33	8	10	(35)	116	81
14	ROSE, David GINNIVAN, Craig TURTON, Andrew	1362	84	AUS	(42)	2	40	25	6	12	127	85
15	TILLY, Jervis NATTRASS, Nigel ARNOLD, James	1250	69	AUS	22	7	14	29	18	(45)	135	90
16	ROBB, Kirwan THOMSON, James MCCRAKEN, Breeahn MULLER, Rodney	1366	32	AUS	31	30	7	3	28	(36)	135	99
17	BROWN, Robert GUDMUNSON, Garry WOOKEY, Bruce	1374	31	AUS	9	44	16	16	14	(86) BFD	185	99
18	PRATT, Christopher ESTELLA, Simon HOWARD, Caillin	1270	79	AUS	23	(47)	25	37	8	17	157	110
19	PLANTE, Julian COXON, Michael DUNSTAN, Michael	940	62	AUS	11	9	39	14	(40)	39	152	112
20	TAYLOR, Graeme MORRISON-JACK, Ben WHARINGTON, Grant	947	11	AUS	25	38	15	(73)	34	1	186	113
21	SINCLAIR, Kane WYBORN, Dean GLEADHILL, David	1084	43	AUS	28	21	(59)	43	13	10	174	115
22	DOYLE, Mark TUBMAN, Travis DEANE, Kyrra HAYES, David	1253	46	AUS	6	(52)	6	18	38	51	171	119
23	SHEEHAN, John STORMON, Allen WEST, Richard	1052	52	AUS	(63)	32	13	33	11	32	184	121
24	GAIR, Alastair RIDLEY, David JOHNSTON, Rhys SCOTT, Derek	950	49	NZL	19	6	30	49	(52)	22	178	126
25	WILLIAMS, Chris HEYES, Paul DEBERQUE, Nicolas	1275	66	AUS	5	40	(57)	31	17	42	192	135
26	LISSIMAN, Cole PARKINSON, Tessa SWINTON, Keith FETHERS, Andersen	891	08	AUS	(86)	49	31	9	31	15	221	135
27	MELIA, Burke BACKHOUSE, Scott KEAVY, Wayne	943	73	AUS	29	4	54	21	29	(64)	201	137
28	CHAPPELL, Peter SMITH, Mathew HUGHES, Michael	1289	82	AUS	(61)	20	46	15	20	40	202	141
29	THORNBURROW, Mark BLANCK, Sarah PARSONS, Tim SERVICE, Andy	1269	44	HKG	40	45	35	(58)	21	9	208	150
30	MCNEILL, Peter BELLINGHAM, Michael MAYJOR, James	1346	34	AUS	(55)	33	24	53	23	24	212	157
31	BIRD, Rob GRAY, Nicholas JOHNSON, Graeme	1320	45	AUS	(46)	42	8	39	39	31	205	159
32	GUNTHER, Jake MCPHAIL, Tony TYSON, Russell	1244	26	AUS	8	34	29	47	43	(70)	231	161
33	MYLES, Campbell DOW, Grant DOW, Brendan	1162	87	AUS	24	(58)	49	17	22	49	219	161
34	HENRY, Rupert NOSSITER, Anthony WARD, Chris	1337	28	AUS	47	43	34	19	(71)	19	233	162
35	DUNN, Alfred BINET, Colin NATTRASS, Glen	936	10	AUS	(44)	35	32	36	16	44	207	163
36	BRADFORD, Mark O'BRIEN, Michael MERRINGTON, Peter	870	35	AUS	62	15	21	48	26	(86) BFD	258	172
37	FRANKS, David SUNDERLAND, Graham WATSON, Mark	1354	83	GBR	(72)	12	44	28	61	29	246	174
38	HICKMAN, Roger BARLOW, Stephen DARE, Chris	1345	68	AUS	(64)	31	26	45	19	53	238	174
39	WEIR, Robert BIGELOW, peter MCCARTHY, Ed	1273	74	AUS	30	18	43	50	(54)	37	232	178
40	KENNEDY, Lindsay COLLINGWOOD, John Cuthbert SWINBORNE, Trevor	1314	38	NZL	(71)	16	27	23	58	55	250	179
41	ALEXANDER, Graham CANDY, Errol HERBERT, John	948	59	AUS	(75)	57	17	4	62	46	261	186
42	DEUSSEN, Shane DUNN, Stephen KOHLER, Myles	736	78	AUS	37	26	(55)	46	30	47	241	186
43	MC BRIAR, Bruce CASLEY, Jeff BOND, Anthony	865	57	AUS	13	(67)	62	26	46	41	255	188
44	GODDARD, Rob MCGREGOR, Guy THACKRAY, Anthony	962	12	GBR	48	72	12	1	64	(78)	275	197
45	PATERSON, Noel CHILMAN, James BOARD, Sarah MOLEN, Kevin	415	53	AUS	53	41	(75)	51	53	5	278	203
46	HESTEHAVE, Kjeld SKEWES, Charles MCCANN, John	971	14	USA	(80)	80	41	35	36	11	283	203
47	JUKES, Brendon BLOOM, Stuart TAI, Melissa JUKES, Brian	882	40	AUS	33	22	48	(80)	70	30	283	203
48	SMITH, Gary MCAULLAY, Michael SHOEBRIDGE, Brett	883	07	AUS	56	54	(79)	27	33	34	283	204
49	VAN DER STRUYF, Dirk LANGFORD, Kyle LOVELADY, Mark	1160	24	AUS	16	51	60	71	9	(86) DNF	293	207
50	STEELE, Bill REILLY, Geoffrey Michael LENNOX-KING, Roland	1150	23	AUS	(65)	23	52	41	48	43	272	207
51	KITTO, Grantham MOORE, Bradley BLAAUW, Gordon	963	05	AUS	57	27	47	(62)	49	28	270	208
52	ROSE, Jeff MCCALLUM, Craig RAINEY, Craig	892	01	AUS	59	46	66	(76)	25	21	293	217
53	JAMES, Garrath COLLIVER, Andrew COVENTRY, Blair	1276	47	AUS	49	8	36	57	(69)	69	288	219
54	O'GRADY, Dan GUNTHER, Stephen BURROWS, David	1330	80	IRL	43	37	51	54	37	(86) BFD	308	222
55	WILLIAMS, Doug MACKAY, Rodney COONEY, Darren	1049	19	AUS	(86) BFD	17	50	55	44	57	309	223
56	CHANT, Josh TEMPLETON, Stuart STONE, Christopher	831	56	AUS	35	63	18	66	41	(71)	294	223
57	LAWRANCE, David BROWNE, Rodney HAWKES, Barry	1257	51	AUS	27	24	(84)	56	66	63	320	236
58	DAGGE, James DAGGE, Mark WILLIS, Joshua	1317	27	AUS	74	39	37	61	(86)	25	322	236
59	GIBBONS, Geof MOY, Dave O'DELL, Charlie MIHNS, Wendy	1009	18	GBR	38	62	(77)	22	42	73	314	237
60	CIMAROSTI, Marco DUNNING, Barry GIROMELLA, Adelaide	1351	30	ITA	26	75	71	30	35	(77)	314	237
61	WOODS, Tom JENSEN, Keith BLATCHFORD, Dean	1192	25	AUS	36	25	64	68	(78)	54	325	247
62	ANDREWS, Jon HANBURY, Anatole Guy WILLS, Andrew	1058	64	NZL	52	55	45	44	(86)	65	347	261
63	HINDS, Gordon BUCKLAND, David INGATE, Stephen	917	09	AUS	58	(82)	61	59	60	26	346	264
64	VEZINA, Martin FRITH, Alan GRAVELLE, Bill	383	06	BER	(77)	65	56	34	51	58	341	264
65	WHITNALL, Matthew BROOK, Christian ELLIOTT, Antony	1134	21	AUS	34	56	(74)	52	56	68	340	266
66	WILSON, Guyon FARNELL, Jason MAHONEY, Darren	1024	60	AUS	60	36	58	(77)	65	48	344	267
67	PATTON, Tim MORRELL, David MARTIN, Peter	1249	76	BER	54	61	28	75	57	(86) DNC	361	275
68	BROWN, Charles St Clair PEET, Kevin STEWART, Mathew	1077	20	NZL	(78)	19	63	63	75	56	354	276
69	MCCANN, Matthew SCARDIFIELD, Thomas ALLEN, Christian	1219	16	AUS	67	69	53	64	(82)	27	362	280
70	MUYSKEN, Jan HAMMOND, Richard GARDINER, Calvin	1360	86	AUS	70	68	42	(74)	72	33	359	285
71	KINGSMILL, Nicholas WAGER, Peter DOLIN, Adrian	1343	29	AUS	76	66	38	40	(77)	66	363	286
72	MCMICHAEL, Alastair EDINGER, Richard MCAULLAY, Andrew	916	55	AUS	51	50	(86)	72	45	72	376	290
73	O'ROURKE, Stephen SWANE, Bruce CONDE, Scott	1102	72	AUS	50	71	81	32	(86)	59	379	293
74	ALDERSEA, Graeme RUSSELL, Geoffrey BROMAGE, Adrian	751	85	AUS	68	(73)	67	60	47	61	376	303
75	ANDERSON, Ian PEARSON, Malcolm BRAENDLER, Robin	1117	37	AUS	32	(81)	65	65	63	79	385	304
76	COOPER, Andrew SKEGGS, Stuart RICHARD, David	992	17	GBR	41	70	69	70	(76)	60	386	310
77	MINTER, Paul MINTER, John BULL, Ross	994	63	AUS	73	(86)	68	79	80	20	406	320
78	LA FONTAINE, Peter COX, Peter DRYDEN, Samuel	1158	02	AUS	39	74	72	78	(79)	62	404	325
79	HODGSON, Richard RATTRAY, Peter NORTON, Glenn	1094	81	USA	83	(84)	78	42	50	80	417	333
80	SANDY, Allan DANIEL, Damian WILKINSON, Peter	417	77	AUS	81	64	73	(83)	67	50	418	335
81	VISSER, Hendrik HOCK, Peter CHADWICK, Paul	768	03	AUS	45	78	70	(82)	74	74	423	341
82	WARD, Jason MCCAUGHEY, Damien ROBERTS, Mark	1258	75	AUS	(79)	76	76	69	55	76	431	352
83	WILSON, Donald ALLINSON, David MCDONALD, Mitchell	1291	41	AUS	69	77	(83)	67	73	67	436	353
84	DYER, Philip HAZEWINKEL, Matthew CROWE, Tim	850	65	AUS	66	(83)	80	81	81	52	443	360
85	TILL, Mike COATES, John MACINTOSH, Rod	1325	36		82	79	82	(84)	68	75	470	386