AUS Etchells – Before the drag race there’s the burn out

by John Curnow on 10 Jan 2016 You always need to light the tyres up. After all, it helps with the grip for launching when you set off for the main gig. Warm sun and lovely little breeze that started as just a puff from the North in the morning and turned into a 12-15 knot Southerly by early afternoon got all the crews thinking it was time to sail on the wide open stretches of Melbourne’s Port Phillip.

So shortly after weigh-in, those crews that weren’t looking for immediate re-hydration or sustenance got straight out there to see what the white caps were like and more importantly to check out their pace. 14 of the just under 50-boat fleet added a wonderful backdrop to those who were devouring their scrumptious lunches on the balcony of the host club, Royal Brighton.

Many had already been past both the Harken Trailer for either hull polish or block lube and the Gill stand for new apparel. Both are long-term supporters of the class, with Gill’s Paul Schulz delighted to be on site once more for the greatest collection of sailing talent in the land. “Certainly will be a great week for sailing and it is good to see so many friends here again. We have our new Keelboat range on display. Which features the exclusive Navigator’s tablet pocket. Yes, you can actually write on your wet weather gear!”

One of the crews to opt for onshore activities was Chris Hampton’s, Tango. Hampton said rather jovially, “Yes, we are keen, After all, this is our home port! We used the recent World Championship in Hong Kong as a training run for this Australian Championship.”

Hampton has Ian Walker and Andrew ‘Dog’ Palfrey with him, which is the same crew as raced in Hong Kong. Sam Haines will be viewing and reviewing it all from the chase boat for now, but will be back in again with Chris and ‘Barney’ Walker very soon. The crew will race in the Milson Silver Goblets on Sydney Harbour, then the NSW State Championship on the glorious Lake Macquarie, before returning to compete in the Victorian State Championship in March.

Next on the agenda was the afternoon’s welcome BBQ, which had the short, sharp and very sweet greetings delivered by the Melbourne Fleet Captain, Peter Coleman. Soon the salads arrived, but all eyes went to the balcony and the assorted meats now sizzling away. The intervening time was used for people from as far afield as Hong Kong, Perth, Brisbane and indeed all the States to once again catch up and talk all things Etchells. You could almost think that racing was not the number one priority. Almost…

Member’s are reminded that the Forum is on Thursday at 0900hrs until 1015 sharp, because everyone wants to get out on the water and go yachting. The latest on the One Design rules that make this the premier class will be discussed and there will also be time allocated for Q&A. The Association’s financials, projects for the class, ongoing PR and potential updates to the constitution will be outlined, along with a briefing about this year’s World Championship in Cowes, UK.

At the event, sailors will benefit from the terrific daily, and overall prizes at the 2016 Etchells Australian Championship, courtesy of Gill and Harken. North Sails will once again provide a brand new headsail as the mid-fleet prize. Distress Rate Media, Entire, Graphic Effects, GFS Electrical, Gunther Developments, Protecon Solutions, and Saltytag.com.au complete the sponsors’ roll. To check out all things Etchells, please visit www.etchells.org.au/nationals and start clicking away.