AUS Etchells – No Pressure!

by John Curnow on 11 Jan 2016 Mostly it is a saying utilised when you want someone to get a wiggle on, and they’re kind of busy. Today, at the 2016 Etchells Australian Championship from Brighton in Melbourne, it actually described the weather. Well, right up until just before 4pm local time, anyway.

As a direct result, it meant that all the pressure in the yachting world was on the shoulders of the astute and prudent Wilson brothers, Kevin and Ross. They had the unenviable task of trying to find a way to get a course set in only 2-5knots of breeze that at stages was in the North and then the South, and moved to the right ever so slowly, but flicked back to the left very rampantly.


The briefing at 1000hrs was both informative and convivial, but you could tell there was a desire to get racing. Kevin Wilson hosed that all down pretty smartly, announcing that the AP was likely to go up soon, as he looked out the expansive glass of Royal Brighton to see the freshly pressed and starched sheet that was Port Phillip.

Never fear, for at noon the Answering Pennant was removed from shore and taken to sea, with an expectation that racing would commence at 1300hrs. A haze and super-balmy conditions put paid to that smartly. No sooner would the sun break and the breeze come in, well to five knots anyway, than it would disappear and the thin, wispy, high cloud reappear.



Constant movements and fluctuations in the breeze meant that a full two hours slipped by. After three it looked promising, but a building sky in the West also wanted to have a say. By half past the hour it was clear and then by about 10 minutes to, it was self-evident, when Fawkner Beacon recorded a 33knot gust.

Standing with both Kevin and Ross back on the quay at RBYC, you could tell that both were very happy to have everyone back in safely. In their shrewd and prudent way, the talk was immediately about the whole series and whether getting one race back tomorrow would be of benefit.

“We sat out there all day with the wind going around us in circles, then when we saw the black clouds and looked at the radar it was an opportune moment to send them home. We recorded 34 knots on board, so it was terrific to have them all safe behind the breakwater was great”, said Kevin.

“When they came back in there was no breeze on the shore, but back out on station we had plenty. Looking at the transits of the Etchells during the day it seemed like no matter where we put the weather mark the boats were always sailing straight to it. I guess all of that shows just how strange a day it was. It was going form 90? to 200? and even some of the time from the North – a very difficult day. Hopefully we’ll make more of tomorrow’s forecast, which is Sou’east to start and Sou’west later on.”

Ross Wilson had a day out in rubber duck and said, “Yes. Definitely had more comfortable spots to sit on. Firstly the brolly was up to shade us from the sun and then later on to keep us dry when we had a shower of rain. It was an interesting concept. It may well have been a good spinnaker for us to get in quickly, but it was better that we did a couple of tows to get the last boats in behind the breakwater in time. It was great to receive praise form sailors like John Bertrand, who simply said well done for getting all the boats back before it came in.”

Later the Wilsons would confirm that the programme had been changed slightly, so as to allow for three races from 12noon for Tuesday, January 11.

Nev Wittey was more expended by the paddling race that occurred on the way back in than the sailing on the day. He commented, “Yes it was a strange day all in all, but this is what we came for. Never been so tired after sailing so little and yes, the paddling race was the highlight. Luckily we have very nice blades, that are exactly the right angle and they did the job for us.”

“Tough day and I am so grateful that the Race Committee canned it and sent us ashore, with the opportunity to look at coming back out. If we had been sitting out there it just would have been a waste on the gear and also tricky getting back into the marina at full pace. It did allow for one more familiarisation tour and set us up for tomorrow.”

“Actually I did also think that if I had been wearing my Hawaiian shirt, then the paddling would have been even better, with a lot more rhythm. So if the weather’s right tomorrow I will wear one in anticipation.”


So well done to all the volunteers for making such an effort to wait patiently and to Peter Rattray for providing his launch, Rat Race, to get the media team out on the water this week.

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.