Etchells UK Open National Championships - Truly international flavour

by Rob E Goddard on 8 Sep 2013 The 2013 Etchells UK Open National Championship to be held on the 13-15th September in Cowes is getting more interesting every day.

With entries from previous champions such as Ante Razmilovic (Uk and European), Shaun Frolich (European) and many other series winners the fleet is now getting even stronger, with the current Champion James Howells from Wales sailing Gelert now adding to the already competitive line up. Then to add more spice, experienced competitors Nils Razmilovic from Singapore and Jan Muysken from the UAE have now both entered, this makes at least 8 nationalities being represented at the three day event.

With so many top quality competitors the competition will be close such that it is just too difficult this year to pick an obvious favourite to win, and as the regatta is also a qualifying event to sail at the 2014 Etchells World Championships at Rhode Island, there is more than just these championships bragging rights at stake. A full list of riders and runners will be published on Wednesday on the 'Cowes Etchells Fleet' Facebook page.

Unfortunately injury and absenteeism is keeping Rob Goddard's Stampede, Roger Reynolds and Hugh Evans’ Shamal, and 'would be' potential winner Laurence Mead’s Freelance from entering, but at least two of these boats are hoping to be in Cowes to view some of the action.

The Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club with Andrew Millband as PRO and his team of volunteers will have the task of controlling the fleet to ensure that all of the on the water action flows as smoothly as possible over the eight races scheduled races at the event.

Prior work commitments to the bow means that Jack Wilson's IDEA team need a bow (65kgs and under), can anyone help? Even if only for part if the event, if so please contact myself or Tom Mallindine via mallindine_thomas@hotmail.com.