Etchells Atlantic Series set to kick off at American Yacht Club

Etchells' Atlantic Series kicks off © Paul Moore Studios

The Etchells Class kicks off its Summer season on the East Coast with the first regatta of the Class' Atlantic Series, a five-regatta program.

The first in the series is the Atlantic Coast Championship, hosted by the American Yacht Club in Rye, New York, and Etchells Fleet 1 on May 19-20, on the waters of Western Long Island Sound. The winners in the series will be based the scores from the best three of the five regattas with participation required in the Atlantic Coast Championship.

Second in the lineup will be the New England Championship, hosted by Shelter Island Yacht Club and Etchells Fleet 15, on June 16-17.

Following that, the action moves to Newport, Rhode Island, for the New York Yacht Club's One Design Regatta on June 30-July 1, and the weekend later at Sail Newport's Newport Regatta on July 7-8.

The final regatta of the Series will be the Etchells Long Island Sound Championship, hosted by Larchmont Yacht Club on July 21-22, as part of LYC's 120th Race Week.

The turnout is already looking strong with 16 teams signed up so far for the Atlantic Coast Championship with still a month away. Teams signed up already include 2017's Etchells World Champion Steve Benjamin and Corinthian Champion Senet Bischoff, and Etchells North American Champion Scott Kaufman, so it will be great competition.

Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Peter Duncan commented, "I am really looking forward to sailing again on my home waters against probably the toughest competition in the Etchells Class. After the North Americans in 2015 and Long Island Sound Championship last year, some of these guys know the [Long Island] Sound here, and it should be a great regatta."

Senet Bischoff said, "It's a great time of year to be sailing the Western Long Island Sound. The conditions are typically fantastic that time of year, and it'll be great seeing how this regatta and the Series progresses. We've run an Atlantic Series for a number of years, and the sailors keep getting better."

At least one team selected for this year's Etchells Youth challenge is expected to participate in a boat provided by an American Yacht Club member.

More information may be found on Etchells Fleet 1's website, Etchells Fleet 15's website or the Etchells North American Association site.