Etchells Worlds 2012- NZ entries sought for Trans-Tasman battle

by Tracey Johnstone on 22 Dec 2011 New Zealand entry John Melville is preparing for a strong Trans-Tasman tussle in the Etchells Worlds to be held off Sydney from 16th to 25th February 2012.

He just needs a few more New Zealanders to complete the Worlds entry process, which closes on 31 December, to ensure he is not the only New Zealander to fly the flag in Sydney.

Melville is in among the first 35 Australian and international entries of what is expected to be a fleet of 80 boats contesting the Worlds to be held on the open water course just off Sydney Heads. Luckily for him, he knows something of the conditions this course can throw at competitors. 'We did the Farr 40 Worlds in Sydney (2011) so we know what it is like out there.

'It is however very hard to replicate what goes on off Sydney. It’s almost impossible. So, whenever we get easterly winds in Auckland, we’ll get out as deep as we can and in the roughest weather we can find. It’s just not that easy to find that rolling swell here in Auckland.'

Melville is relative novice to the Etchells class having only stepped onto an Etchells about 18 months ago. He sold his Farr 40, Bobby’s Girl, bought a power boat and an Etchells, and then after six weeks training, headed to San Diego for the 2011 World Championship where he finished 45th.

The choice an Etchells was a simple decision. 'It's probably the most competitive sailing we have in Auckland at the moment. We were going nowhere with 40 foot division here, so we got out of that and bought an Etchells and have had a great time ever since. '

Racing with Melville are two very experienced international sailors. 'Stu Molloy is a sail maker with Doyles . He has a lot of ocean experience including a couple of legs on the Volvo Race and sailed on ICAP Leopard in the Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race earlier this year. The other is Cam Horne who sails with the Pinta campaign up in Germany.'

The Bobby’s Girl team realise they are up against some very tough competition. They hope to finish in the top thirty this time. 'But, when we get there, we will want to win. And we will cry if we only come 30th.

'From what I have heard, the class is very, very competitive in Australia; they all want to be in there. They don’t care if you are from Perth or Auckland; they just want to beat you,' Melville said.

The Etchells World Championship 2012 will be conducted by Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in conjunction with the Sydney Etchells Fleet from February 16th to 25th.

The Etchells World Championship is sponsored by Telstra, Oatley Wines, Nautica Watches, Gill, Kroten, North Sails, Barz Sunglasses, Hamburg SUD, Jackson Shipping, PredictWind and Yachting NSW Boat Insurance.

Event website http://www.etchellsworlds2012.org/worlds/