Magpie holds off Racer CC to win Victorian Etchells Championship
by Nic Douglass 14 Mar 22:43 PDT
Magpie AUS1486 claimed the Etchells Victorian State Championship at Royal Brighton Yacht Club. Long time Magpie coach Richard Clarke continued his transition to the helm, sailing alongside Ben Lamb and James Mayo as part of the team's evolving campaign toward the Etchells World Championship in San Diego this May.
Two race wins and four additional podium finishes proved enough to secure the title on 15 points in a composed and consistent performance.
James Mayo said the result reflected the strength of the team that has been building around the Magpie campaign.
"It's all about teamwork, together everyone achieves more," Mayo said.
"We've had a lot of changes but we've built solid momentum. Victor Kovalenko, Grant Simmer and Andy Green have helped us create a great team, and we are settling in very nicely with Richard at the helm."
"We love racing here in Melbourne. It has brought us a lot of incredible memories and this is another wonderful experience with great racing, great competition and a fantastic environment."
The Magpie team also claimed the Etchells World Championship at Royal Brighton Yacht Club last year, a regatta that similarly came down to a final race match race.
Ben Lamb said the regatta was an important step in the team's preparation for the upcoming Etchells World Championship in San Diego.
"Conditions were perfect for our lead up to San Diego," Lamb said.
"The light to moderate breeze allowed us to continue testing our speed settings. We sailed well as a team but we know we left a lot on the table, which is exciting moving forward."
The Hong Kong entry Racer CC HKG1482, helmed by Mark Thornburrow with Malcolm Page, Julian Plante and Alex Conway, finished second overall, while Flying High AUS1518, helmed by Jeanne-Claude Strong with Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton, completed the podium in third.
Malcolm Page said the final race turned into a tactical battle with Magpie, as the leaders attempted to control the series outcome.
"We beat Magpie in the pack up so that was a good win," Page said from the car after racing.
Magpie attempted to match race Racer CC in the final start to minimise the chance of losing the overall lead.
"We got to practice the match racing start and then went again," Page said. "We pulled the rabbit out of the hat in the start that got away, but we didn't manage to get back enough places."
"We had to win the last race to win the regatta. If we had tied on points they would have won on a countback."
Page said the team had not originally planned to sail the regatta but valued the opportunity to race against the Australian fleet ahead of the Etchells World Championship.
"It's really good to do the regatta. We weren't planning on it, but it was great to get another one under our belt as we lack time in the boat."
"We have plenty of skill in our boat, we just don't get together enough."
He said racing in Australia was valuable preparation ahead of the Worlds.
"We'll see each other again a week before the Worlds in San Diego. It's always good to bang heads with the Aussie fleet. The Magpie team and John Bertrand, it's world standard."
In the Corinthian division, with 12 of the 22 boats competing, Matilda AUS1488, helmed by Blake Robertson with Tom and Will Kelly, claimed the title after a consistent series. Lisa Rose AUS1484, sailed by Jack Abbott with Xavier Winston-Smith, John Cooley and Nicola Armstrong, finished second, while the Hong Kong entry Kung Fu Fighting, helmed by Jamie McWilliam with Peter Austin and Rachel Yip, secured third.
Across three days of racing on Port Phillip, the fleet experienced a range of conditions that produced tight and tactical racing throughout the series. Seven races were completed, with consistency proving key as the championship unfolded.
The opening race set the tone for a competitive championship, with the Hong Kong entry Racer CC HKG1482, helmed by Mark Thornburrow with Malcolm Page, Julian Plante and Alex Conway, taking the first win of the regatta in building breeze. Magpie AUS1486 finished second, while Tango AUS1466, sailed by Chris Hampton with Charlie Cumbley and Sam Haines, secured third place.
Race two saw a change at the top, with Flying High AUS1518, helmed by Jeanne-Claude Strong with Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton aboard, claiming the race win. Magpie AUS1486 again showed strong consistency in the strong conditions with another second place, while Racer CC HKG1482 finished third.
Jarvin said the team had to work hard in the breeze against some heavier crews.
"It was tough. We are sailing light and it was windy, so it was hard going," Jarvin said. "We're looking forward to a bit lighter breeze the next few days."
Magpie AUS1486 converted its early consistency into a race victory for Race 3, securing top of the leaderboard at the end of day one. Tango AUS1466 crossed the line in second place, with Matilda AUS1488, helmed by Blake Robertson with Tom and Will Kelly, rounding out the top three.
Racer CC HKG1482 returned to the top of the podium in Race 4 with a well-sailed win to kick off the second day of racing. Flying High AUS1518 finished second, revelling in the lighter conditions, while Triad 2020 AUS1478, helmed by John Bertrand with Max Brennan and George Richardson, secured third.
Bertrand praised both the Royal Brighton race track and the next generation of sailors joining the fleet, including the young match racers crewing aboard his boat.
"One of the best race tracks in the world," Bertrand said. "I love these young guns. Straight off the match racing circuit."
Magpie AUS1486 added another race win to its scorecard in Race 5, demonstrating their pace across a range of conditions. Tango AUS1466 finished second, while Flying High AUS1518 placed third.
Flying High AUS1518 returned to the top of the podium in Race 6. Triad 2020 AUS1478 finished second, while Tiger AUS1524, helmed by Nigel Abbott with Chris Manton and Jake Newman, secured third.
The final race of the championship would determine the final podium positions, and while Magpie and Racer CC were tussling for overall results, Tiger AUS1524 claimed the race win. Triad 2020 AUS1478 finished second, while Flying High AUS1518 secured third place to confirm their spot on the overall podium.
With seven races completed, the Victorian State Championship concluded after a competitive series on Port Phillip.
Colin Burgess, Royal Brighton Yacht Club Boating Manager, praised the quality of racing and the work of the race management team.
"Another fantastic regatta with great and close racing. Perfect conditions each day and a magnificent job by Rod McKenna as race officer and his race management team meant the racing was top tier."
"A lot of happy sailors enjoying the event and Royal Brighton Yacht Club."
Full Awards List
1st - AUS1486 - Magpie, Richard Clarke, Ben Lamb, James Mayo
2nd - HKG1482 - Racer CC, Mark Thornburrow, Malcolm Page, Julian Plante, Alex Conway
3rd - AUS1518 - Flying High, Jeanne-Claude Strong, Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton
Corinthian 1st - AUS1488 - Matilda, Blake Robertson, Tom Kelly, Will Kelly
Corinthian 2nd - AUS1484 - Lisa Rose, Jack Abbott, Xavier Winston-Smith, John Cooley, Nicola Armstrong
Corinthian 3rd - HKG1382 - Kung Fu Fighting, Jamie McWilliam, Peter Austin, Rachel Yip
Masters - AUS1518 - Flying High, Jeanne-Claude Strong
First Female Helm - AUS1518 - Flying High, Jeanne-Claude Strong
Grand Masters - AUS1478 - Triad 2020, John Bertrand AO
Full Results available here.
Corinthian Championship results available here.
More information on the Etchells Class: www.etchells.org.au.