Etchells North American Championship -Buzzards Bay

by Tom Kenney on 2 Sep 2006 New Bedford Yacht Club and Massachusetts' Buzzards Bay Etchells Fleet will host the Etchells North American Championship on September 21, 22 and 23, 2006. This is the first time that a major Etchells event has been hosted on Buzzards Bay and 50-60 boats are expected.

This is an extraordinarily prestigious event, drawing over 200 visitors to Padanaram from all over North America and beyond, including some of the biggest names in the sport and a panel of top international judges.

The North American Championships will be the final US event ahead of the Audi Etchells Worlds in Fremantle, West Australia from 14th – 25th November 2006.

It is the culmination of the 2006 North American Etchells circuit that began with a series of regattas in Florida and then moved north to regattas in Charleston, Annapolis, Newport and Marblehead.

'2006 has been an extraordinarily well planned and successful circuit', says Tom Piper, one of the Governors of the Etchells Class and Vice Chair of the International Fleet and a top competitor for the 2006 Championships. 'This event will be very competitive with many of the US and international racers expected as well as strong New England contingent.'

Reigning North American Champion Jud Smith will be defending his title again this year. He narrowly missed out on winning last years World titles held in Richmond, California and will be aiming to increase the pressure in Fremantle.

Jud has won the North American title many times, most recently in '04 and '05, and has been performing well on the circuit again this year. Hank Lammens of Connecticut, winner of the Atlantic Coast Championship in Newport, is expected to be a top contender especially if accompanied by his usual crew, 1998 Etchells World Champion Dirk Kneulman from Toronto.

The Burton brothers (Bruce, the 1987 Etchells World Champion, and Glenn) of Detroit are already registered. Tom Hughes of Seattle, who took second place in the Atlantic Coast Championship, is expected to field a competitive boat as is Phil Garland of Bristol RI.

No word yet on Dennis Conner, but he is a former North American Champion and a likely 2006 participant as he too is headed for the Worlds in Fremantle.

Jud Smith comments, 'the Etchells Class tends to attract mature (older) captains and crews. The boat performs well over a broad range of wind and sea conditions and the sailing tends to be less physical (than say a Laser) but very mental.' Rob Hitchcock of Dorchester, a long time Etchells sailor, adds, 'The Etchells' crew is often as important as the skipper. While certainly critical to gear shifting necessitated by changing conditions, the crew also participates in tactical decisions and is often the difference between success and failure.'

A tune up regatta is scheduled for Saturday & Sunday September 9th & 10th at the New Bedford Yacht Club. Measurement and registration will be on September 19 and 20 with a practice race scheduled on Wednesday, September 20, at 1:00 PM.