Etchells Nationals to Tasmanian Nick Rogers

by Peter Campbell on 17 Jan 2001 Champion Tasmanian yachtsman Nick Rogers added another major trophy to his imposing list of major wins in international one-design
keelboats when he won the 2001 Australian championship for the International Etchells class on Hobart’s River Derwent yesterday.

The former International Dragon class world champion and Soling class contender for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games finished third in the
sixth and final race to clinch the Etchells championship by five points after discarding his disqualification from race one.

Conducted by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, the Nationals attracted a fleet of 26 boats, including entries from the Perth, Melbourne, Sydney
and Botany Bay fleets as well as the expanding and obviously high quality local Hobart fleet.

From race two onwards Rogers sailed a most consistent series with Karabos, placing 2-4-2-1-3 to finish with 12 points, with second place
overall going to fellow Tasmanian Andrew Hunn, sailing Zulu, who finished on 17 points from placings of 3-4-13-3-5-2.

Hunn has recently been elected an Australian Governor of the International Etchells Class, joining David Ritchard and Ian Kingsford-Smith.

Former America’s Cup skipper and two-times past Australian Etchells champion John Bertrand, now based back in Melbourne, finished third
with Two Saints and a Magpie.

Bertrand began the championship on as positive note with a fifth, a first and a second but slumped with a 17th and an 11th. He won the last race
to end with 20 points after discarding the 17th.

Victorians also filled the next two placings overall, with Ian Johnson sailing Bananas in Pyjamas to fourth overall with a score of 25 points from
placings of 9-5-1-7-3-10, fifth place going to Grant Wharington, taking a break from ocean racing with his maxi yacht, Wild Thing.

Steering Satu, Wharington finished on 31 points from placings of 1-6-20-4-16-4.

Top 10 placegetters:



1. Karabos (Nick Rogers, Tas) (27)-2-4-2-1-3, 12 points

2. Zulu (Andrew Hunn, Tas) 3-4-(13)-3-5-2, 17 points.

3. Two Saints & A Magpie (John Bertrand, Vic) 5-1-2-(17)-11-1, 20 points.

4. Bananas in Pyjamas (Ian Johnson, Vic) 9-5-1-7-3-(10), 25 points.

5. Satu (Grant Wharington, Vic) 1-6-(20)-4-16-4, 31 points.

6. AUS1144 (Glenn Tucker, WA) 17-7-(22)-1-2-11, 38 points.

7. Resurgent (Dave Connor, Tas) (19)-16-3-9-4-8. 40 points.

8. Doctor Evil (Jake Gunther, Vic) 2-8-16-5-(18)-12, 43 points.

9. Back on Top (Stephen Boyes, Tas) 4-10-(18)-8-6-16, 44 points

10. Silky (Tony Hirst, NSW) 8-11-7-(20)-15-5, 46 points.


Further information: Peter Campbell – 0419 385 028 or email – peter_campbell@bigpond.com