Breeze on at Etchells Worlds

Belvedere, CA (September 28, 2017) – Racers were overly eager as racing kicked off on the third day of racing in the 2017 Etchells World Championship. Unlike the previous two days, a consistent 8 – 10 kt westerly had filled in by noon and racing started on schedule, except for a general recall in race five, the first of the regatta. Racers were still pushing hard at the restart, with ten boats hailed OCS, and only seven returning to restart.

Scott Kaufman and his team of Austen Anderson, Jesse Kirkland, and Lucas Calabrase were first to the windward mark and held on to win race five. “This regatta is far more competitive than the 2016 event in England,” said Kaufman, the 2017 North American Etchells Champion. “The top 30 teams are incredibly close. You can’t make any mistakes. We hope we can keep it together for the next two days and finish in the top 10.”

The consistency story of this regatta is the performance of the top Corinthian team, Senet Bischoff (USA), Ben Kinney, and Clay Bischoff. With a third in the first race and a bullet in the second, their lead on the competition has widened. Prior to the start of the regatta, Dave Ullman opined “Any team than has a top ten finish in every race will win the regatta.” At this point, no one has achieved that goal, but Bischoff and his team have come closest. “Bischoff’s team is sailing really well, and they haven’t needed to discard any of their scores so far,” said Dave today. “It’s a powerful weapon to have a throw out to use later in the regatta.”

Mark Thornburrow (HKG), Malcolm Page, and Mike Huang, held on to second place overall despite placing 18th in the first race. Jim Cunningham, with Chloe Holder, Jeff Madrigali, and Mark Ivey moved into third place, and Steve Benjamin moved up one place into fourth. After tomorrow’s seventh race, competitors will discard their highest score.

The 2017 Etchells World Championship is scheduled from September 26 to 30 with 9 races planned. If seven or more races are sailed, there will be one throw out.

Event Details – Results – Entry List – Facebook

Day Three Results (Top 10 of 51; 6 races)
1. Senet Bischoff, USA 1349, NYYC, 6, 13, 5, 4, 3, 1; 32
2. Mark Thornburrow, HKG 1406, 10, 6, 10, 7, 18, 6; 57
3. Jim Cunningham, USA 1404, SFYC 31, 7, 4, 2, 10, 7; 61
4. Steve Benjamin, USA 1427, Seawanhaka Corinthian YC, 33, 3, 7, 3, 16, 2; 64
5. Graeme Taylor, AUS 947, Morningtown YC, 15, 5, 6, 24, 11, 3; 64
6. Martin Hill, AUS 925, RSYS, 12, 22, 16, 1; 51
7. Scott Kaufman, USA, RSYS, SIYC, 20, 28, 3, 16, 1, 16; 84
8. Michael Goldfarb, USA, CYC Seattle, 13, 30, 19, 11, 6, 8; 87
9. Dirk Kneulman, BER 1454, RCYC, 8, 1, 8, 20, 25, 26; 88
10. Don Jesberg, USA 1429, SFYC, 19, 27, 2, 8, 12, 21; 89

About the Etchells Class
For over fifty years the Etchells class has enjoyed solid and steady growth with over fifty active fleets worldwide. Etchells sailors are enthusiastic and loyal supporters of their boat and class association. The Etchells is a big, fast, simple, stable, and sleek racing sloop that can be sailed competitively and in comfort by three or four average sailors. It can tack in 70 degrees and has a low wetted surface hull form that keeps moving in the slightest breeze. In 20+ knots it absolutely flies.

The strict one-design principle of the Etchells class was established from the outset and is controlled by a strong, established and well-administered class association. Control of construction by the class association and World Sailing ensures quality and uniformity. It’s easy to trailer and light enough to dry sail; and Etchells hold exceptional resale value.

Source: Leslie Richter