Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd - For the Obsessed

Etchells Biscayne Bay Winter Series wrap up: Three-peat win for Lifted

by Kate Wilson Somers 21 Feb 2024 16:57 PST February 16-18, 2024
Fleet 20 Winter Series - Etchells Biscayne Bay Winter Series © Kathleen Tocke

The Etchells Biscayne Bay Series concluded last weekend with an impressive display of skill and consistency, after four regattas that tested the competitive spirit of the Floridan fleet. Participation was strong with 40+ boats on the line over four events: the Louis Piana Cup Regatta in December 2023, the Sidney Doren Memorial Regatta in January 2024, the Florida State Championship in February 2024, and the Mid-Winter's East Regatta, held from February 16-18, 2024.

Jeff Nehms, Fleet 20 Captain, shared his key takeaways from the season, emphasizing that life after hosting an Etchells Worlds remains vibrant. He highlighted the enduring toughness of the class and noted the presence of numerous skilled new faces in the series.

For the third consecutive year, the overall winners were the team aboard USA 1504 Lifted with the same team Jim Cunningham, Steve Hunt, Erik Shampain, and Serena Vilage. Their achievement was attributed by Cunningham "to the cohesive and enduring teamwork they have maintained for over five years."

The crew acknowledged the importance of their consistent performance (they never finished worse than a 4th in a regatta all season), highlighting the irreplaceable coordination and situational understanding that comes from long-term collaboration. Working with A-MAC as tuning partners for the second year proved instrumental, and their coach, Dave Ullman, continually pushed them to improve in the highly competitive fleet.

USA 1504's strategy involved securing solid, lower-risk starts to avoid early mistakes, sailing slightly conservatively, and steering clear of the racecourse edges. The tight competition was evident, with the top three teams separated by just two points. USA 1506 Oatmeal (Peter Duncan, Andrew Palfrey, and Mark Mandelblatt) secured second place, followed by USA 1456 Freedom D (Craig Mense, Ian Liberty, Manu Weiller, Norman Berg) in third. See the full results.

The Corinthian Award winners were once again CAN 1451 Blackadder II with Andrew Cumming, Chloe Congourdeau, Erin Sauder, and John Millen, who clinched the award in a tiebreaker against USA 1349 Amateur Hour with the Bischoff family. The competitive spirit and camaraderie displayed throughout the series affirmed the enduring appeal and challenge of Etchells racing.

The final event, the Mid-Winter's East Regatta, was characterized by fluctuating winds and equally varying results. Over the course of seven races over three days, there were six different winners, only further highlighting the competitiveness of this fleet. Scott Kauffman, Midwinters Champion, led the regatta after winning the first race and sailing the most consistent. He attributed his crew's success to clean starts and excellent downwind boat speed. Racing alongside him were the team of Gonzalo Ribeiro, Carlos Robles, and Hugo Rocha. The crew onboard Rebel finished 7th overall in the series.

Thanks to Kathleen Tocke, footage and photos capturing the Day 1 Races are available on the Etchells North American Class Facebook page.

All season results available here.

Related Articles

SDYC to host Etchells North American Championship
The event in San Diego expects to see over 50 boats registered San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) and Etchells Fleet 13 will host the 2025 Etchells North American Championship May 14-18, 2025. Set in San Diego's ocean venue, Coronado Roads, this event promises exciting racing and world-class hospitality. Posted on 16 Feb
The engine room
Without them we are lost. This is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick. Without them we are lost. This is not about the tiny little room under the companionway stairs. Rather, it is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick.Yes. The rags. Only, they are anything but for wiping up spills. They are supreme tech. Posted on 9 Feb
2025 East Gippsland Etchells Championships overall
The two-day regatta became a one-day event due to storms on the second day Two last minute cancellations saw seven Etchells from the Metung fleet enter the East Gippsland Etchells Championship, on February 8, 2025. Posted on 9 Feb
Bushido claims victory at 2025 Bill Bennett Cup
Part of the prestigious West Coast Spring Series The waters off San Diego Yacht Club played host to another successful Bill Bennett Cup, part of the prestigious West Coast Spring Series (WCSS), with Chris Busch and Buschido (USA 969) securing an impressive overall victory. Posted on 24 Jan
Entries open for Cowes Week
199th edition of the world's biggest annual keelboat regatta Cowes Week Ltd is delighted to announce that entries for the 2025 Regatta are now open. Posted on 17 Jan
Etchells World Championship 2025 overall
Magpie match races to defend the title Magpie AUS1486 skippered by Graeme Taylor with James Mayo have defended their title in the 2024 Etchells World Championship with crew member Ben Lamb with a classic match race to finish off the series. Posted on 14 Jan
Etchells World Championship 2025 Day 4
Magpie holds on to the lead Magpie AUS1486 skippered by Graeme Taylor, with James Mayo and Ben Lamb have maintained their lead in the Etchells World Championship 2025 with a 7, 1, 2 with a total of 17 (now with one drop). Posted on 13 Jan
HKRNVR Memorial Vase 2025
Part of the Top Dog Trophy Series 2024-2025 53 boats enjoyed some fresh (and cold!) sailing in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour on 11 January as they competed in the HKRNVR Memorial Vase. Posted on 13 Jan
Etchells World Championship 2025 Day 3
A storm front with gale force wind and lightning then resulted in a lack of wind A storm front with gale force wind and lightning, which then resulted in a lack of wind resulted in no racing on the third day of the Etchells World Championship 2025 from the Royal Brighton Yacht Club. Posted on 12 Jan
Etchells World Championship 2025 Day 2
A family affair The Etchells World Championship 2025 is looking like a family affair on day two of racing, with Nigel Abbott's Tiger AUS1524 and Lisa Rose AUS1484, skippered by Jack Abbott AUS1484 both featuring in the results. Posted on 11 Jan
Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastC-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 BOTTOM