Etchells Australia National Championship 2024 at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron - Overall
by Sydney Etchells Fleet 12 Jan 2024 09:01 NZDT
7-11 January 2024
2024 Etchells Australian Championships © AeroMedia
The Etchells Australian Championships finished yesterday on Sydney Harbour after 4 days of close racing. With a regatta that saw variable conditions, from just about every point on the compass, the racing was extremely close, with the winner not decided until the last day.
With a still and muggy day facing competitors, the forecast didn't look all that promising, but the RO (Rob Ridley) had boats on the water for a scheduled 12:30 start with the aim of getting 2 races in to complete the 9 race schedule. After an extended delay this was looking unlikely until a gentle SE breeze crept in and racing could get under way.
There was a lot to play for in the last days sailing, with only 3.5 points separating Magpie and Flying High.
Race 1 for the day saw a little more variation in the place getters than we had seen for the previous 3 day, with Triad 2020 (John Bertrand) scoring another win for the regatta, with Vincero (James Dorron and Nick Kingsmill) coming in second and Magpie (Graeme Taylor) taking third. Tranquillity Base and Lisa Rose rounded out the top 5.
By taking 3rd place in race 1, and with other results going their way, the team on Magpie had done enough to take the regatta win and headed for the showers early.
In race 2 for the day, Mark Bradford and his team on Pie took the win, with Great White Hunter (David Dunn) coming in second, and Tiger (Chris Manton) from Geelong coming third. John Bertrand continues his good day with a 4th and African Queen (Jan Muysken) a true journey man of the Etchells fleet coming 5th.
Final results saw, Magpie (Graeme Taylor, James Mayo and Richard Richard Allanson take the win from Flying High (JC Strong) in second and Racer CC (Mark Thornborrow) from HK in third.
Full results available here.