2022 Etchells Midwinters West

The 2022 Etchells Midwinters West, as the third event of the Etchells West Coast Spring Series, attracted 19 teams on April 8-10 in San Diego, CA. The 8-race series was dominated by Jim Cunningham and his team of Steve Hunt, Erik Shampain, and Serena Village, posting four bullets to secure the title prior to the final race.

Day one saw the breeze from the WNW out on the Coronado Roads course at 12-18 knots, with the wind on day two and three backing to the south with a velocity of about 8-14 knots, resulting in choppy seas on top of an occasional 4 to 6 foot SW swell.

“The wind and seas were bigger than we usually see in San Diego, so it was a challenge for us to figure out how to keep the boat going in the conditions,” notes Cunningham. “We were fortunate enough to win the regatta with a race to spare, so we decided to head in and start our mudslide tradition early.”

With Cunningham gone and Chris Busch securing second overall with a 2nd place finish in Race 7, the final race became a tight battle for 3rd place. “The pressure was on (Tom) Carruthers who needed a 3rd place in the regatta to have a chance at winning the WCSS,” observed Busch. “He did that by winning the last race and putting a few points between him and (Will) LaDow and (Don) Jesberg.”

Finishing fourth as top Corinthian team was Will La Dow.

The final event of the Etchells West Coast Spring Series is the Orca Bowl on May 14-15, 2022.

Final Results (Top 10 of 19; 8 races, 1 discard)
1. Lifted, Jim Cunningham , USA – 1 -1 -2 -2 -4 -1 -1 -[20/DNS] ; 12
2. Elizabeth, Chris Busch , USA – 4 -3 -3 -4 -1 -2 -2 -[6] ; 19
3. Louise, Thomas Carruthers , USA – 5 -2 -5 -5 -3 -[6] -5 -1 ; 26
4. Second Wind, Will La Dow , USA – 3 -5 -6 -1 -5 -[20/DNF] -3 -5 ; 28
5. Viva, Don Jesberg , USA – 6 -4 -4 -3 -2 -3 -6 -[10] ; 28
6. Rhino, Bruce Nelson , USA – 2 -6 -1 -[15/SCP] -6 -4 -7 -4 ; 30
7. Coyote, Chuck Eaton , USA – 10 -9 -[20/DNF] -6 -9 -5 -4 -3 ; 46
8. Mostly Harmless, Summer Greene , USA – 7 -7 -9 -8 -7 -7 -9 -[11] ; 54
9. AHui Hou, Mickey Ryan/ Charlie Jenkins , USA – 9 -8 -7 -10 -8 -[20/DNF] -15 -8 ; 65
10. Jack, Charlie Mann , USA – 11 -11 -8 -7 -10 -9 -[13] -9 ; 65

Notice of Series – Race details – Results

2022 Etchells West Coast Spring Series
March 5-6 – Pacific Coast Championship
March 26-27 – Bill Bennett Memorial Regatta
April 8-10 – Midwinters West Regatta
May 14-15 – Orca Bowl Regatta