Moreton Bay shuffle
It’s been tight and tactical racing at the 2018 Etchells Worlds in Brisbane.
24 October 2018
Advertisement
After several days of delayed starts, Race 3 of the Etchells Worlds got underway this afternoon in 10 knot north-easterly breeze.
On a shortened last leg, Top 40 skippered by Peter Merrington and crewed by Ian McKillip and Michael Coxon held-off fast-finishing local boat GenXY skippered by Matthew Chew.
In third place was America’s Cup legend and 2016 Etchells World Champion John Bertrand helming Triad2.
Going into Race 4 on Wednesday afternoon only four points separated the top four boats, Racer C, Triad2, Lisa Rose and GenXY.
Earlier on Tuesday is was evident that just the one race was on for the day.
Course One was designated, meaning an extra leg back to windward for the finish, but there was a long way to go before that. There was a strong tide running out of Moreton Bay from South to North and this would turn back in the middle of the afternoon.
Advertisement
Any chance of it becoming a true Nor’easter was cast adrift when the Easterly aspect won the day, but it settled in for a good 12-knot type affair, which is pretty much ideal. It would clock even further right for the finish, with a course change to 060 degrees as the direction for the crews to find the Committee Boat and finish pin.
Alas, nine boats did not get to partake in Tuesday’s on water festivities, for they broke the start (OCS). One of these was Monday’s winner, Havoc.
However, winning on Tuesday, after a slowish start was, Tango (AUS 1440). Class Governor, Chris Hampton, with crew Sam Haines and Charlie Cumbley are no strangers to the podium, and were happy with their day’s work.
“True. We didn’t have a great start. Unfortunately, one of the boats that were OCS was in front of us, and this unsettled our programme somewhat. We just hung in long enough to find a lane out, as we always wanted to be on the right-hand side of centre of the course. We could then find good height and speed, which worked to our advantage, and so we were well placed at the first weather mark,” Hampton said.
War Canoe, USA 1363, which is Michael Goldfarb, Morton Henriksen, and Skip Dieball was lying 16th going into Race 4. The well-performed crew were soaking-up the regatta atmosphere and camaraderie.
“It is great fun, and beautiful sailing out there. We are here to enjoy ourselves,, and hopefully we can continue to do that.
“It is going to be a long week, so we need to pay attention to that, as well. Enjoyment is a key aspect of the process,” Goldfarb said.
The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in the Brisbane suburb of Manly is hosting the 94-boat strong fleet for the 2018 Etchells World Championship.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
