Mooloolaba prepares for Etchell Worlds

by Ian Grant on 31 Dec 2003 Year 2004 will become the most important 12 months in the history of the Mooloolaba Yacht Club when they welcome the legends of one design yacht racing to compete in the World Etchells championship on the Sunshine Coast in July.

The MYC regarded by many Australians as one of our nations best regatta venues has waited a long time to be accepted as a major international yacht racing destination.

A number of former Flag Officers believed the Club had established the stamp of approval when the Sunshine Coast facility hosted the Olympic Tornado class world championship just prior to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

However finally following endless hours of presenting proposals and submissions the MYC and the Sunshine Coast Etchells fleet will lay down the welcome mat as they prepare to host the battle to decide the 2004 World Etchells championship.

This trophy regarded as the premier prize in one-design keel boat racing on international calendar will attract a fleet of 100 crews who all must first qualify through their own county fleet racing competition.

There are no wild card entries in a class which attracts a very high standard including Olympic Medalists, Americas Cup champions and Volvo Globe race sailors.

Yachting legends like former class World champion Dennis Conner and previous World title winner John Bertrand will head a very impressive fleet.

Both Conner (1993) and Bertrand (2003) have won Australian championships at Mooloolaba and they are making no secret about their personal desire to win the World title.

Conner and Bertrand have proved their match racing tactical skills at the highest level in one on one match racing in the Americas Cup and while they have the personal reputations that deserve respect they will have to reproduce the master tactical skills they are renowned for to win the prestigious title trophy.

They know that success at this level helps to open doors in respect to supporting sponsorships for Americas Cup and other major international events and they will be racing in a very competitive environment with 98 other crews targeting the masters as their benchmark to climb up the rankings.

Championship officials are expecting at least ten former World title winners to qualify making the series the most hotly contested in the history of the class and certainly the most important regatta to be held in Queensland.

The event which represents an excellent opportunity for Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast to gain valuable awareness on the World stage of yachting will also expose the destination and the excellent surfing beaches as a carefree venue for holidaying tourists.

This healthy mix of sun, sand, surf and sailing will provide an invaluable promotion platform and the perfect opportunity for the Mooloolaba Yacht Club to gain the recognition it deserves to host future high profile international sailing events.