Musto joins Etchells class in 2008

by Tracy Johnstone on 21 Nov 2007 International leader in yachting competition and casual clothing, Musto Australasia, announced today their lead sponsorship of the 12th Etchells Australian Winter Championship conducted annually at Mooloolaba on the June long-weekend.

The partnership of Musto and the Etchells class is an important step in the development of the Musto brand in Australia.

Musto’s Australian managing director, Duncan Curnow, says for too long the Musto brand has been seen as servicing the grand prix and offshore sailors.

'Our product range is about servicing Australia’s sailors across a range of classes and types of competition. The Etchells sailors, for example, are high users of quality competition wear. They compete in tough conditions often requiring continuous physical work. Clothing that is designed to suit small boat sailing that allows ease of movement is important to these sailors.

'Musto is very excited to be associated with the winter championship. I see our sponsorship as a great opportunity to profile outside of the more traditional offshore market Musto’s extensive competition clothing range to the a broader range of sailors.

'Musto is also releasing into Australia this year its new fashion lines. They are suited to all Australian climates, especially the resort and coastal areas like Mooloolaba. This new range of casual clothing will really suit our sailors looking for an on-shore yachting image,' Curnow says.

The Etchells Australian Winter Championship annually attracts most of the best one-design class sailors in Australia and New Zealand to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for the fiercely contested seven-race series.

Previous event winners and place-getters are Iain Murray, John Bertrand, Cameron Miles, Colin Beashel, Rob Brown, Skip Lissiman and Russell Coutts.

America’s Cup, world champions, Olympic class sailors and the ever-enthusiastic Etchells fleet members see the winter event as the perfect chance to pit their skills in an event that continues to grow each year. In 2007 the event attracted 52 entries.

Mooloolaba fleet captain Trevor Martin is confident the championship will remain a feature winter event on the Australian sailing calendar.

'The continued growth of Mooloolaba’s Etchells winter event is a testament to the strength of the Etchells class. The event remains strong as we are lucky to have one of the best competition venues in Australia with easy access to open water, terrific on-shore facilities and easy access to affordable accommodation.

'I think our Etchells sailors will be delighted to welcome Musto to the Etchells family. Musto will be able to offer our competitors access to top of the range competition and on-shore sailing gear. The sailors will not only have good gear to compete in they will also have the opportunity to look even smarter when they go out about town to enjoy all that Mooloolaba has to offer,' Martin says.

Now in its 41st year the class in Australia has 16 fleets competing regularly.

The 2008 event will be held over the weekend of 5 to 9 June.

Event website http://www.mooetchells.yachting.org.au/

Musto Australasia website http://www.musto.com.au/