Chris Busch wins tight battle at 2025 Etchells Midwinters West in San Diego
by San Diego Yacht Club 31 Mar 18:51 PDT
March 28-30, 2025
2025 Etchells Midwinters West © Mark Albertazzi
The 2025 Etchells Midwinters West, hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club and sailed on the Coronado Roads, delivered a dynamic three days of racing, concluding the third leg of the West Coast Spring Series with a hard-fought victory by Chris Busch, Chuck Sinks and Patrick Powell aboard Buschido (USA 969).
With 30 boats on the line and shifting conditions across all three days, consistency and tactical precision proved essential. Busch stayed in striking distance throughout the series and sealed the overall win with a strong final push.
"It was tight, but great sailing by everyone out there," said Busch. "This was a weekend of ups and downs, and I'm incredibly grateful to my crew, Chuck and Patrick, who helped keep us fast and focused all the way around the course. The big waves made things challenging, but that's kind of the sweet spot for our old boat."
A Weekend of Swell, Strategy, and Shifts
Racing began Friday in light breeze and big ocean swells. With only two races completed on the first day, teams had to stay patient and adaptable. Saturday brought more of the same, with big seas continuing to test boat handling and balance. By Sunday, the weather finally cooperated — delivering steadier breeze, flatter water, and three decisive races to close out the event.
Jim Cunningham, Steve Hunt, Erik Shampain, and Serena Vilage (USA 1404 Lifted) finished 2nd with Bruce Nelson, Carter Cameron, Paula Schmid, and Nick Ratinaud (USA 986 Rhino) in 3rd overall — both showcasing solid, tactical sailing across all conditions.
"This regatta had a bit of everything — big swell, light breeze, tactical shifts, and a really deep fleet. Friday and Saturday were all about staying patient and keeping the boat moving through tough conditions. Sunday rewarded the teams who could shift gears quickly. That's what makes Midwinters West special — it's always a real test of seamanship and strategy. The level of competition continues to rise every year, and it's exciting to see how the fleet is sharpening up ahead of the Worlds." - Bruce Nelson, Rhino (USA 986), 3rd Overall.
The Corinthian fleet brought incredible energy and depth, with Capricorn (USA 1229), skippered by Ethan Doyle and Matt Hecht, taking 1st place after a tight battle with Viva (USA 1429), helmed by Don Jesberg. The two boats traded leads all weekend, with a bold move to the left on the final leg by Doyle's team making the difference.
"We got a little buried at the start and knew we needed some leverage," Doyle said. "So we went out left, found pressure, and it worked. Huge thanks to Nick Voss, Lindsay Clark, and Matt Hect — this was our first time racing together, and the boat felt smooth the whole way through."
"The Midwinters always bring out the best in the fleet—tight racing, thoughtful debriefs, and a real sense of community. We were back and forth with Ethan's team all weekend, and that's exactly the kind of competition that keeps this class so strong. I've been part of this group a long time, and I can honestly say the level of Corinthian sailing has never been better." - Don Jesberg - Viva (USA 1429), 2nd Corinthian
Local competitor Mark Ruh added, "Crazy waves, great competition — everyone is just getting sharper as we get closer to the Worlds."
Fleet 13 Debrief: Wisdom on Display
In keeping with Fleet 13's tradition of learning and collaboration, Friday's racing was followed by another standout post-race debrief led by world-class sailors and coaches Steve Hunt and Dave Ullman. These sessions have become a cornerstone of the West Coast Spring Series, offering every team—new and seasoned alike—access to insights from the top of the fleet.
"When the marine layer moves in like it did today, you don't get a thermal—and you've got to shift your whole thinking. It wasn't about boat speed; it was about finding pressure," said Dave Ullman.
Steve Hunt added: "You can't sail flat and tight in those conditions—it's all about staying in first or second gear, just like a stick shift. Full and twisty was the mode today. Once you slow down in waves like that, it takes forever to recover, so forward speed always wins."
The debrief also covered nuanced boat handling, spinnaker systems, and dynamic sail shaping in swell-heavy, light-air conditions — invaluable insight for anyone prepping for the Worlds.
Overall Results: (top three)
- Chris Busch, Chuck Sinks, Patrick Powell - Buschido (USA 969)
- Jim Cunningham, Steve Hunt, Erik Shampain, Serena Vilage - Lifted (USA 1404)
- Bruce Nelson, Carter Cameron, Paula Schmid, Nick Ratinaud - Rhino (USA 986)
Corinthian Division: (top three)
- Ethan Doyle, Matt Hecht, Nicholas Voss, Lindsay Kloc - Capricorn (USA 1229)
- Don Jesberg, John Bonds, Alden Grimes - Viva (USA 1429)
- Mark Surber, Scott Harris, Tim Harris - D4 (USA 1313)
Returning Faces & Looking Ahead
The Midwinters also marked the return of Etchells class veteran Alex Camet after a 10-year hiatus. "It was great to be back racing Etchells again. The fleet is strong, the competition was tight, and the vibe all weekend was just really fun," said Camet.
Saturday night featured a lively social gathering, while Sunday's awards celebration capped off a memorable weekend of racing, camaraderie, and competition.
As Chris Busch said at the awards: "Thanks to everyone who helped put this event together and made it such a great weekend. The energy in this fleet is incredible — we're already looking forward to the next one."
Next up in the West Coast Spring Series: the Orca Bowl— where competitors will continue to fine-tune their boats and teamwork in preparation for the 2025 North American Championship in May.