Double feature

First Tracks has been declared the winner of the Etchells Australian Nationals and the Etchells Australasian Championships.

16 June 2021

Peter Merrington, Ian McKillop and Steve Jarvin, have won both the Etchells Australian Nationals and the Etchells Australasian Championships on board the vessel First Tracks, cementing their place with the Nationals’ final race on Sunday 13 June.

After a lengthy on water postponement, the starting sequence for Sunday’s Race 8 began at 12:30; the Race Officer later setting a two-lap course with a 0.9 nautical mile first work.

First Tracks, who entered Race 8 as leaders, nailed the start in the middle of the line before the vessels Flying High, skippered by JC Strong, and Yandoo XX, skippered by Neville Wittey, became early leaders on the first work.

Ciao, skippered by Douglas McGain and leader following the first day of racing, rounded the top and gate in third, followed by Paul Thackray’s Tranquility.

First Tracks launched start of Race 8. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

Yandoo XX leading around to the first top mark of the final day. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

First Tracks and Lisa Rose battling - Best Youth Boat just behind. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

The Start Boat Team in action. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

JC Strong out in front on the run. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

First Tracks and Lisa Rose. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

First Tracks leading around the final top mark. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

First Tracks crew from left: Jarvin, Merrington, McKillop. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

Mark Bradford presents a new North Sails jib. (Credit: Nic Douglass/sailorgirlhq.)

However, underlying the race was Lisa Rose, being the only other boat that could potentially take the top of the leaderboard from First Tracks – making it no surprise to see these boats close on top of each other at 7th and 10th down the first run.

Yandoo XX and Flying High were well in front at the bottom of the run, taking the starboard and port bottom gates respectively before both headed to the left-hand side of the first work. But out of nowhere, the breeze direction pivoted to the right and with it, blew in a major shakeup.

First Tracks, who had moved up to sixth around the gate, passing Lisa Rose who rounded the bottom in ninth, soon lead around the final mark of the course before taking the race and subsequently the Nationals.

Mimicking the overall Nationals result, Lisa Rose placed second, and Mark Bradford’s Pie rounded the podium in third.

Sadly, organisers would later cancel Race 9 due to a breeze threatening the course from both sides.

First Tracks would also be confirmed as the winner of the Australasian Championship later that day.

“As far as the conditions for the four days, they were really challenging, not just for us but for the competitors,” said Race Officer Louise Davis on First Track’s victory.

“To win in those conditions, and by such a margin, is a pretty impressive feat. It was just not easy.

“It’s always really great to work with people; they’re so enthusiastic, they just keep coming back smiling no matter what you ask them to do. It is just amazing to work with people like that,” Davis concluded, speaking on the volunteers who support these regattas and Mooloolaba Yacht Club.

A complete ranking order for the Australian Nationals and the Australasian Championships have been posted online.

mooloolabayachtclub.com.au

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