Bertrand returns to lead Etchells Worlds

Cowes, UK (September 7, 2016) – The third day of the Etchells World Championship provided its share of drama with two races, pivotal protests and a change to the overall standings after five races.

Entering the day in third position, John Bertrand (AUS) was initially disqualified from Race 5 for being over early on a U-Flag start but later was re-instated after the Race Committee reviewed the decision. “We have cameras at both ends of the line and this system enabled us to have an exact picture at the start,” explained Principle Race Officer Phil Lawrence. “Having reviewed this evidence some teams were re-instated for Race 5.”

After posting a 5-5 today, Bertrand now leads the 58-boat field, a position his team held after day one. With all top five scores but one, his team’s four point lead will significantly increase when the discard race comes into play after the sixth race.

Entering the day in the lead, Steve Benjamin (USA) scored a 1-17 to now sit in second. “We fully expected John (Bertrand) to be ahead when we came in,” shared Benjamin. “He got a great start in the last race, as did we in the race before. I love coming to Cowes, I have been here for five Admiral’s Cups and the Jubilee, and it is one of my favourite places in the world to go sailing.”

Chris Hampton’s team (AUS) is third on countback from Noel Drennan’s team (SIN). “I only started sailing in 2002,” admitted Hampton. “I have really only sailed in an Etchells for those years. So far in the Worlds we have tried to avoid making errors and concentrating on our speed, that has given us the results, to put us where we are. I was once told, in Etchells racing it is not about doing the extraordinary, it is about avoiding mistakes.”

Sitting in 19th overall, Martin Webster’s team (AUS) leads the Corinthian Class by 11 points over Thomas Brennan’s team (GBR) despite being disqualified for U-Flag infringement in Race 5. James Badenach’s team (HKG) sits in third.

Fifty-eight teams representing 11 nations will compete September 5-10. Six races shall constitute a series with 9 races planned in the Central Solent.

Day Three Results (Top 10 of 58; 5 races)
1. John Bertrand / Paul Blowers / Ben Lamb , AUS – 4 -2 -22 -5 -5 ; 38
2.Stephen Benjamin / Michael Menninger / Ian Liberty / George Peet , USA – 14 -5 -5 -1 -17 ; 42
3. Chris Hampton / Sam Haines / Mark Andrews , AUS – 1 -8 -28 -13 -3 ; 53
4. Noel Drennan / Brian Hammersley / Andrew Mills , SIN – 7 -17 -1 -12 -16 ; 53
5. Seamus McHugh / Luis Doreste / David Vera Vera / Leo Ramio , GBR – 21 -14 -2 -3 -26 ; 66
6. David Franks / Graham Sunderland / Amy Prime / Richard Mason , GBR – 11 -29 -19 -7 -6 ; 72
7. Ante Razmilovic / Chris Larson / Stuart Flinn , GBR – 30 -1 -10 -17 -20 ; 78
8. Shannon Bush / Brad Boston / Curt Oetking , USA – 5 -23 -14 -16 -21 ; 79
9. Lawrie Smith / Joost Houweling / Tim Tavinor , GBR – 40 -6 -3 -6 -27 ; 82
10. Andrew Wills / Anatole Masfen / Matthew Kelway , NZL – 31 -3 -38 -8 -11 ; 91

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Report by Louay Habib.