2008 Audi Etchells Australian Champions - Jason Muir, Matt Chew, Paul Wyatt and Darren Jones

Brisbane Fleet sailors Jason Muir, Matt Chew, Paul Wyatt and Darren Jones sailing Racer XY are the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Champions after a count back defeating New Zealand sailor Alistair Gair with David Ridley, Carl Peters and Derek Scott.

The four up crew who have been training on the championship course since early November and are naturally extremely happy with their result.

The win comes after a count back with both Muir and Gair finishing on 18 points. Muir had to finish 4 places or more in Race 7 to secure the win. Muir finished 3rd, with Gair placing 7th.

“What a week! Today was intense. In Race 7 we had the tiller delaminate and both pumps exploded down the first run. We had to do a manual bail the entire race! It looked like everything was against us. We even had an infringement with our mate Mark Bradford. Total miscommunication between the crew, but we fought back.

We had no idea we won. At the finish we counted numbers. I can’t believe we won on a count back. We just waited for them (Gair) to cross the line trying to keep calm. Talk about INTENSE!

My crew are fantastic, we are a great team. Thanks to Matt and Paul for their constant commitment. I have to thank Adrian Finglas as well for this assistance with the whole set up. Darren Jones came in late but we knew from a tactical point of view he was our man to get us over the line.

We are all going to take a bit of a break now but will be back for the Winter Nationals and then the Worlds in 2009.”

Muir and Gair were the only two crews to finish the regatta with two first places keeping them 12 points ahead of the fleet.

Another Brisbane Fleet sailor Mark Bradford, sailing with Ben Durham and Wade Morgan finish in 3rd position after a challenging week of sailing.

Veteran sailor Rob Brown with Bruce Wookey and Gary Gudmunson took home the Masters crown ahead of fellow veteran Skip Lissiman.

“You know you’ve had a great regatta when you finish in from of Skip and John Bertrand!” laughed Brown. “I have to say congratulations to these outstanding sailors because it’s been a pleasure to sail with and against them for many years,” continued Brown.

The Grand Masters prize went to Sydney sailors Jan Muysken, Ian Audsley and Mark Doyle sailing Etch.

“It’s been a fantastic regatta and we have enjoyed the racing,” said Muysken on accepting the trophy.

The top ranked fleet of the regatta went to Brisbane who with Muir and Bradford had another top 10 placing with Funky Cold Medina sailed by Vaughan Prentice, Darren Hutchison, Will Thompson and Chris Anderson who placed 7th overall. A fantastic achievement to win after competing in the regatta on their home waters.

The regatta saw mixed conditions with today’s races giving the crews the most consistent angles and pressure. The lead changed after every race with the championship coming down to the final race.

Talk amongst the crews now is the Midwinter Championships in Mooloolaba, the Adelaide Australian Championship and the Worlds.

The constant rain squalls and oscillating breeze prevented Race 6 from going ahead yesterday leaving two races to run back to back today.

Numerous attempts were made to get racing underway however the inconsistency was far too great for a fair race.

Race 6 is currently underway with Race 7 to follow.

A full regatta wrap up will follow Race 7.

2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship
www.etchellsregattas0708.com

Progressive Pointscore
http://www.rqys.com.au/results/view.php?PHP_Results_5_941sC.htm

Local Brisbane Fleet sailors Jason Muir, Matthew Chew, Paul Wyatt and Darren Jones have taken the lead from fellow locals Mark Bradford, Ben Durham and Wade Morgan after the Race 5 of the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship on Moreton Bay.

Sitting in second place two points behind Muir is New Zealand sailor Alistair Gair with David Ridley, Carl Peters and Derek Scott. A further two points behind Gair is Bradford now placed on 36 points.

The light and challenging conditions being faced on the eastern waters of Moreton Bay have seen the fleet split in each race of the regatta so far. Race 5 also resulted in a broken mast and damaged halyard for two boats in the fleet, even though the breeze never reached above 14 knots.

The competitors are currently making the hour long journey to the race course for the second last race of the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship.

AUS 1317 - Una Mas
Photo by Suellen Hurling

Local Etchells Brisbane Fleet sailors Mark Bradford, Ben Durham and Wade Morgan sailing Una Mas have taken the lead from Bucky Smith, Godfrey Smith, Emma O’Rourke and Ryan Ashworth aboard Men at Work after four races of the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship. Following close behind in third is another local Brisbane crew of Jason Muir, Matthew Chew, Paul Wyatt and Darren Jones sailing Racer XY.

Muir and his crew were first over the line in Race 4 ahead of Alistair Gair, David Ridley, Carl Peters and Derek Scott on Velsheda with Lake Macquarie sailors and identical twins Gary and John Boyd with Tony May sailing B Squared finishing third.

Three Etchells were black flagged in Race 4 including Bucky Smith and his crew as well as Cameron Miles on Blacksnake and Tom Woods on Echo Beach.

The regatta is still open for any crew combination to take the title. Today ends the schedule of two races a day with crews now heading to the scales for a re-weigh ahead of a huge night of BBQ and Beer supplied by sponsor Gage Roads.

NZL 950 - Velsheda - Alastair Gair, David Ridley, Carl Peters & Derek Scott
Photo by Mike Cleveland

Mooloolaba sailors Bucky Smith, Godfrey Smith, Emma O’Rourke and Ryan Ashworth sailing Men at Work are still leading the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship after three races putting them two points clear local Brisbane Fleet sailor Mark Bradford with Ben Durham and Wade Morgan on Una Mas.

In Race 3, New Zealand sailor Alistair Gair with David Ridley, Carl Peters and Derek Scott on Velsheda managed to get the gun 36 seconds ahead of Cameron Miles, Simon Gorman and David Sampson sailing Blacksnake from Pittwater.

Today’s forecast of 20 knots never eventuated with competitors racing in up to 10 knots of east/south east breeze. To top off the weather, the drought stricken region of South East Queensland has been inundated with constant rain for the duration of the day.

Race 4 is currently underway.

Men at Work leading the fleet round the windward mark - Photo (c) Suellen Hurling

Mooloolaba sailors Bucky Smith, Godfrey Smith, Emma O’Rourke and Ryan Ashworth sailing Men at Work are leading the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship after two races on Moreton Bay today. After placing third and first this puts them 2 points ahead of the 2007 Audi Etchells Queensland Champion Peter McNeill who is sailing with Peter McLachlan and Anthony Merrington in Koolong X from Lake Macquarie. Just one point behind McNeill is local sailor and America’s Cup campaigner Mark Bradford sailing with Ben Durham and Wade Morgan in Una Mas.

Race 1 was a light challenge for the competitors with 6-8 knots from the south east and Race 2 finished off reaching 14 knots.

The long day saw racing start at 1230 hours some 3 nautical miles east of St Helena Island. The sailors have just started to arrive back to the marina of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron just as daylight creeps into night.

Another two races are scheduled for Tuesday 15 January before the second crew weigh-in.

Photo by Mike Cleveland

35 of the 45 strong Etchells fleet finished the Practice Race today of the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship in 10 knots of southerly breeze.

Fifteen sailed by David Clark, Andrew Smith and Sean Leonard ditched superstition to win the Practice Race ahead of the four up crew Men At Work with Bucky Smith, Godfrey Smith, Emma O’Rourke and Ryan Ashworth. Peter McNeill, Peter McLachlan and Anthony Merrington sailing Koolong X finished third.

Real racing commences tomorrow with heats one and two from 1200 hours. Racing will take place east of Green Island on the Waters of Waterloo Bay.

The forecast for the next few days of the regatta is predicting winds of up to 30 knots from the south/south east. The rough waters were racing is will provide some intense challenges for the competitors.

Full Results - Practice Race

Photos Attached © MIKE CLEVELAND – www.marinephotography.com.au

2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
11-18 January

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 January 2008

With just 3 days until measuring and weigh-in, crews have begun arriving at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron for the Audi Etchells Australian Championship being held on the waters of Moreton Bay from the 11-18 January.

Peter McNeill, together with Meter McLachlan and Anthony Merrington will be back on Moreton Bay after McNeills recent win in the Audi Etchells Queensland Championship.

Sailing great John Bertrand teaming up with Ernest Lawrence and Jake Newman will be hitting the water and hoping to improve on the 7th place at the Queensland Championship.

After gaining second in the Queensland Championship, Jason Muir with Matt Chew, Paul Wyatt and a yet to be named fourth crew member will be in force and ready to pounce to gain the gold medal position on home waters.

Although absent from the recent Queensland Championship, Skip Lissiman, Andy Feather, Keith Swinton and Mike Tyquin will be hot on the heals of his 2007 Australian Championship win and is looking for back-to-back titles.

Melbourne sailor and 2004 Australian Championship winner Mark Bulka with Stephen Young and James Ryssenbeck will be looking to outsmart their competitors and take home another title.

Local sailors, club championship, fleet champions and Audi Spring Series Champions Vaughan Prentice, Darren Hutchison, Will Thompson and Chris Anderson will use their extensive knowledge of Moreton Bay waters to tackle the 46 strong fleet. Training with Mark Bradford, Ben Durham and Wade Morgan, these locals will have the inside advantage over their visiting rivals.

With measuring and weigh-in scheduled for Friday and Saturday the crews will enjoy a cocktail party on Saturday evening signifying the opening of the 2008 Audi Etchells Australian Championship. As well as the racing schedule, the huge social program will ensure the sailors have a fantastic time whilst visiting the Squadron and the local Brisbane Etchells Fleet home club.

Sponsors Gage Roads Brewery and Fish Café will put on an afternoon of beer and prawns and a feast of BBQ’s are also planned during the regatta.

Racing commences on Sunday 13 January and spectators are welcome to watch the world class racing.

Entries - www.etchellsregattas0708.com/entries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday 9 December 07

Former World Champion Peter McNeill, sailing with Greg Torpy and Dean Blatchford have taken out the 2007 Audi Etchells Queensland Championship after consistent placings through the regatta.

McNeill, Torpy and Blatchford had four 3rd places after dropping their worst result (10th) giving them a clear win by four points ahead of local sailors Jason Muir, Matt Chew, Paul Wyatt and Adrian Finglas.

After failing to get any races away on Day 2 of the Championship, three races were sailed today giving the crews a chance to drop their worst result. The long day of racing began at 1100 hours with crews only just arriving back at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron 6 hours later.

“We sailed in almost perfect conditions today. Sensational racing,” said McNeill

“We went into the regatta confident. After sailing together as a team for a long period of time, we have our systems down pat. It all came together and the boys (Torpy/Blatchford) sailed brilliantly,”

The new Audi Etchells Queensland Champions will be back to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in January to race in the Australian Championships from the 11th January. This regatta was considered by most as an excellent training opportunity for the January regatta.

Etchells Brisbane Fleet Captain David Irvine was pleased with the final outcome of the regatta.

“Today was definitely the highlight. We got three races in this afternoon to get a series and enable everyone to drop a race.

“Overall I feel the regatta was a huge success and the team of local Etchells sailors who assisted in organizing he event must be thanked. Time to finalise everything for the Nationals now!” said Irvine.

Full Results – www.etchellsregattas0708.com/results
Regatta Website – www.ethcellsregattas0708.com

Photos Attached by Tom Johns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 December 07

The 36 strong fleet of some of the most talented Etchells sailors in the world spent today drifting on the waters of Moreton Bay east of St Helena Island in Brisbane.

Racing was due to start at 1200 hours however postponement due to lack of wind kept the race from happening.

Numerous attempts were made by the Race Committee to set a line, however the high humidity and constant shifts of what little breeze there was hindered all attempts to get the fleet underway for Race 3 of the Audi Etchells Queensland Championship.

Yesterday saw the fleet racing in 10-12 knots, with most hoping that today would bring the 15-20 knots from the North East that was forecast.

Racing tomorrow is scheduled to commence at 1100 hours. If only three or four races are completed crews will be forced to carry their worst result as no drops will be allowed.

The crews will make their way back to shore at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and enjoy the afternoon with Gage Roads lager under the Audi tent.

Full results – www.etchellsregattas0708.com/results
Regatta Website – www.ethcellsregattas0708.com

Photos Attached by Tom Johns

###