Murphy & Nye 2010 International Etchells Australian Championship

by Al Constable on 12 Jan 2010
The Murphy & Nye 2010 International Etchells Australian Championship commences today at 1.00pm when the gun will be fired for Race 1 of the nine race series, being held at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club from January 11th through to January 16th.

Lake Macquarie is Australia's largest saltwater coastal lake. It is non tidal and the prevailing winds in January are generally north east seabreezes, with the occasional southerly.

Today's forecast is for 'fine weather with a north-northeast wind of 15 knots in the early morning shifting more towards the northeast for the scheduled start at 1300hrs.'

The 58 boat fleet left the dock this morning, under cloudless blue skies with the breeze building. Its currently 8-10 knots on the western shore of the Lake.

The list of competitors in this event is impressive, for as John Bertrand said yesterday 'There are a lot of Olympic sailors here and Etchells are by far the best class in the nation – they are the Olympic class in the non-Olympic years.'

Earlier this morning Tom Woods from Echo Beach was asked about the day ahead. 'Snakes and Ladders out there. More snakes than ladders however.'

James Ware from Barry said 'It’s an even race course and everyone has the same speed as the others - never a dull moment out there.'

And as local Lake sailor Peter McNeill (Absolute Pearler) replied 'it certainly wont be over until it’s over.'

How very true.