Etchells kings

Like others, he agreed it was best to go left on the day, but commented that “the puffs came from both sides of the course and you had to sail to the puffs.”

He added that the crew still thoroughly enjoyed the regatta though: “It was the first time in 13 months we’ve sailed together. It was great getting together again and good to see people we hadn’t seen in over a year.

“Jan (Muysken from GSC, who also contested the Championship) put a lot of effort into getting the boats here. There were more of them than I expected – he did a great job. It was a very well run event on the water too. They didn’t waste time. It was shifty the whole time, so it wasn’t easy for them.”

Thornburrow spoke of the next stop for the Racer CC crew, and said: “We’re doing Victorian Etchells Championship and then going to San Diego for the Worlds.

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, we’ll see how we go in Melbourne. I expect most the top boats to probably be there, as they’re all going to the Worlds.”

Second overall was Magpie, steered by Richard Clarke – who only recently joined the Magpie team as helm – and crewed by two of the three reigning world champions, three-time Etchells Worlds winner James Mayo, and reigning Etchells World champion Ben Lamb. The trio won just one race, but otherwise sailed consistently in the top four.

Lamb said: “We’re feeling pretty positive and feel we’ve made improvements to boat speed, boat set up and things we’re trying out are working.

The trio have also been working on their starting systems and Lamb added: “It’s beginning to work really well. We’re on the same page, enjoying our sailing and it’s all making sense.”

Magpie is already in San Diego, and the boat they sailed at Gosford is the Magpie that won the last two Worlds.

“We’re going to San Diego on the 16^th of February for two weeks to train, then straight back to do Victorian Championship. After that, we’ll be two weeks a month in San Diego,” Lamb said of Magpie’s efforts to claim a third consecutive Worlds win.

He added: “This regatta was tough. It was shifty and it was tough being a tactician. It was a bit of emotional roller coaster at times.”

Third went to Jeanne-Claude Strong and her Flying High crew of Sam Newton Seve Jarvin, six points in arears of Magpie. Strong also picked up the Masters winning trophy.

In the end, Flying High, also headed to the Worlds, beat Great White Hunter (David Dunn/George Richardson/Max Brennan by four points, Dunn admitting they were going for broke today in their efforts to try and finish on the podium.

The Corinthian trophy went to Queensland’s Mama says: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight (Bradley Ginnivan/Scotty Miller/Will Thomson) after placing eighth overall.

The fleet was first on the water for an 11 am start to Race 6 in a 12-knot southerly. Victoria’s Tango (Chris Hampton, Charlie Cumbley, Sam Haines) led the way, followed by GSC hopeful Lucy (Peter McNeill, Andrew Smith, Simon Reffold).

Third went to Mama Says: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight, followed by Flying High and Racer CC, with Racer CC using the result as a throwout.

Race 7 brought a brisk 15-knot southerly. Magpie scored their first win, cementing their place as overall runner-up. Rocketmen (James Dorron, John Walton, Nick Kingsmill) finished second, and Great White Hunter (David Dunn, George Richardson, Max Brennan) crossed third, briefly putting them back in contention for a top-three overall finish. Racer CC and Flying High rounded out fourth and fifth.

Race 8 was abandoned as the wind died, leaving the championship decided over seven of the planned nine races. While the breeze reached the teens for one race, it was otherwise a light-air event.

At the prize-giving, Stephen Slater, GM of Brian Hilton – Ineos Grenadier, presented the NSW trophy to Racer CC skipper Mark Thornburrow and his crew, with Club President Greg Humphries and Etchells Fleet Captain George Johnstone also on hand.

MC, John Humphries then thanked all competitors for attending and making it a memorable Championship.

The Brian Hilton – Ineos Grenadier 2026 International Etchells NSW Championship was conducted by Gosford Sailing Club on behalf of the Gosford International Etchells Fleet Inc. and was sailed on windward/leeward courses on the waters off the Club.

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