From the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron

First Tracks AUS1485 skippered by [CYCA Member] Peter Merrington with Ian McKillop and [CYCA Member] Steve Jarvin (David Gilmour day 1 and 2) won the Etchells NSW State Championship from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) with a race to spare in the eight-race series which included one drop.

Second after a strong close to the regatta was Tango AUS1466 (also first in the Masters division) helmed by Chris Hampton with Samuel Haines & Cameron Miles, and in third Yandoo XX AUS868 skippered by [CYCA Member] Neville Wittey with RSYS youth squad members Kyra Early, Zac West & Jameson Prescott.

Corinthian and Youth Division winners Flirtation AUS1026 finished in fourth overall.

Rob Crawford, who sails with his brother Matt Crawford and Karl Bromfield, said: “Etchells are a great class, kind of reminds us of our 470 days… super technical, great racing… 30 boats here this weekend, everyone is super close.

“All through our junior sailing we have always looked up to most of these guys, it’s cool now to sail against them… every so often we get to beat them, and we also learn a fair bit off [from] them, they are always happy to help us when we come off the water.

“There are two other youth boats here who probably get a lot of help off those guys as well. It’s nice to go out there and try and beat your heroes” he said of his experience in the Etchells class as a youth sailor.

The first Grand Master was Karabos AUS932 skippered by Ron Jacobs who has returned to the class after an absence, sailing with Simon Reffold and Andrew Cutler. Jacobs: “I had a little go on the Etchells back in 1993… I’ve been busy doing other yachting over the years so I thought I would get back in them, get back on the horse.

“There are numerous world champions, last week we were racing against Olympic Champions, when you have a good day you feel really elated,” Jacobs finished.

List of Prizes

Overall (Fleet: 30)

1. First Tracks AUS1485 Peter Merrington (S), Steve Jarvin (David Gilmour) & Ian McKillop
2. Tango AUS1466 Chris Hampton (S), Samuel Haines & Cameron Miles
3. Yandoo XX AUS868 Neville Wittey (S), Kyra Early, Zac West & Jameson Prescott

Corinthian (16)

1. Flirtation AUS1026 Matt Crawford (S), Rob Crawford & Karl Bromfield
2. Dawn Raid AUS1361 Matt Whitnall (S), Rob Bishop, Adrian Dunphy
3. Ciao AUS1244 Doug McGain (S), Michael O’Brien & Mark Dagworthy

Youth (3) 

1. Flirtation AUS1026 Matt Crawford (S), Rob Crawford & Karl Bromfield
2. Adam Magpie AUS1187 Cole Tapper (S), George Richardson, Ruby Scholten & Jake Erson
3. Vivienne AUS945 Jed Cruickshank (S), Aiden Mansley, Tiana Wittey & Charlotte Alexander

Masters (15)

1. Tango AUS1466 Chris Hampton (S), Samuel Haines & Cameron Miles
2. Yandoo AUS868 Neville Wittey (S), Kyra Early, Zac West & Jameson Prescott
3. Flying High 2 AUS1435 Jeanne-Claude Strong (S), Seve Jarvin & Sam Newton

Grandmasters (9)

1. Karabos AUS932 Ron Jacobs (S), Matt Visser, Simon Reffold & Andrew Cutler
2. Vincero AUS1343 Peter Gardner (S), Nick Kingsmill & Rob Woodman
3. Tranquillity Base AUS1377 Rob Weir (S), Mike Tyquin & Paul Thackray