Brisbane Etchells Fleet at the Winter Championships

It had not rained in South East Queensland for 237 days, however Mother Nature decided it was time to have a cry and cast a thick grey cloud over the region as Etchells sailors from as far away as Perth made their way to Mooloolaba Yacht Club for the 2006 Etchells Australian Winter Championships.

Level 3 water restrictions were in force for the Brisbane region the Tuesday prior and the rain was welcomed with glee; however the weather did make it slightly difficult in launching the 55 Etchells that would compete over the four day event.

The Brisbane Etchells Fleet brought the largest group of the one design keel boats to Mooloolaba with Vaughan Prentice steering “Funky Cold Medina” to a convincing second place with his four up crew. After dropping a 12th position, Prentice finished two points clear of Mark Bulka from Melbourne in “Balanced A-Tac” and eight points behind the overall champion and veteran Etchells competitor Cameron Miles sailing “Vincero” with his crew from Pittwater.

But it would seem the Brisbane Etchells Fleet wasn’t overly concerned with their final place in the regatta.

“How’d you go today mate?”

“Who knows!? But I saw the pointy end of Bully’s boat the whole way round!”

“What about you?”

“No idea, but I know I flogged Pato!”

“How’d you go Pato?”

“Well Healey may have beaten me but I was miles in front of Warlow!”

“Mate that doesn’t count! He was OCS’d!”

The refreshing approach these veteran sailors have to the sport ensures not only competitive racing, but an exciting time away with family and friends.

While the guys were banging the favoured corner of the race track, their much better halves were enjoying a weekend of shopping, coffee and fine dining. At the end of the day everyone was happy with stories, re-enactments and lies of the day unfolding. And that’s just about how much money the ladies spent at the stores!

Over the four days the racing was close and intense. During race 6, the lead changed at almost every mark, with the oscillating breeze causing the sailors to think outside their comfort zones and focus on what conditions the weather cast their way. With the pressure increasing throughout the event, bodies began to tire and ache and it was the fit and mentally prepared crews that were able to battle on with successful results their reward.

However, there are many other excuses for not succeeding well in a race… Mick O’Brien, an Etchells veteran and keen campaigner, took line honours in race 5. The win was convincing as he and his crew, Brian Hillier and Scott Miller led for the entire race. They were on fire and showcased class, skill and talent for the duration of the race. As they crossed the finish line ahead of Damian King from Melbourne, high fives where handed out and celebratory beverages were consumed.

“Nice one Mick, were did you pull that one from!” – Encouragement from the other Brisbane Etchells sailors was at the ready.

But then there was race 6. Everyone thought O’Brien would again be up there, as his results for the regatta were consistent (apart from a DNF in race 4).

Out of the start he was no where to be seen… At the top mark he was buried… At the next mark it wasn’t much better…

“Geez mate you had a shocker in that one!”

“Where were ya??!! Little too much golden ale at lunch hey!!??”

“Haa haa!! We smashed ya in that one!!!”

Once again, encouragement from his Brisbane team mates was distributed with pleasure.

Then the excuse…

“Yeah the mast is bent, only looked famous on one tack, so yeah, not a good race. Gotta carry that 39th place now”.

Funny… Didn’t he just win the previous race??

This was one of the better excuses heard during the regatta!

In the final race of the event, O’Brien, Hillier and Miller placed 4th. Seems the bent mast underwent a miracle overnight!

All in all the 2006 Australian Etchells Winter Championships was a successful regatta. Congratulations to all competitors who made the event a challenge and applause to the race committee, officials and volunteers who kept the entire program in order.

The next event for the Brisbane Etchells Fleet is the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Opening Day in September.

The guys are a little worn out from the big weekend, so a well deserved break is on order…

Click here to view photos (posted in the gallery)

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