Everything Etchells!

REGATTA WEBSITE – www.etchellsregattas0708.com/

Over the next few weeks there is going to be a fair amount of stuff posted regarding the Audi Etchells Queensland and Australian Championships.

Why?

1. They are sailing out of our club
2. They are awesome boats
3. The Globecast built their website (they built the LSD one as well)
4. Live Sail Die has a bit of a partnership thing going on with the Brisbane Fleet
5. SLAM is a sponsor, they are also a sponsor of LSD
6. Why not?

So get ready to get the low down on Everything Etchells!

Here is what has hit the media regarding the Audi Etchells State Championship…

The Worlds Best Line Up for the Audi Etchells Queensland Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 November 2007

Former World Champion Peter McNeill and last years World Champion runner up Alistair Gair will be arriving in Brisbane in the new few days for the Audi Etchells Queensland Championship.

McNeill was crowned World Champion when the regatta was held in Mooloolaba in 2004 and will be hoping for state success when he returns to Queensland waters.

“The rough conditions that we could be facing are exciting but my crew and I are looking forward to racing against some of the best Etchells sailors in the country. We can’t wait to mix it up with the likes of Bertrand! We hope to do well and believe we are in with a chance. The Audi Etchells Queensland Championship is a great way to plan strategies for the Audi Etchells Australian Championship in January that we will definitely be back for,” said McNeill.

McNeill will be racing with his World Champion counterpart Greg Torpy as well as former 505 World Champion Dean Blatchford who is joining them for this regatta.

“I guess you could say we are a team of World Champions!” laughed McNeill.

Etchells and their crews have started to drive through the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron gates with some choosing to race on the Championship course this Saturday as part of the regular Squadron racing program.

The course will be situated east of St Helena Island.

Audi continue their relationship with the Etchells class as event sponsor of the Audi Etchells Queensland Championships 2007 as well as the Audi Etchells Australian Championships 2008. International sailing clothing supplier SLAM is the regatta clothing supplier with many national businesses supporting the events; these include Gage Roads Brewery, North Sails, Harken Equipment. Local support comes from Moreton Bay Signs, Muir Marine, Barramundi Boys Fish Café and The Globecast as webmasters.

Both events are being run in conjunction with the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. The Squadron has been noted in the past as producing many Olympic sailors as well as past Queensland and Australian Champions in the International Etchells Class.

America’s Cup Stars line up for Audi Etchells Queensland Championship

Etchells Australian Championships 2005 – Source

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
29 November 2007

Former America’s Cup winner John Bertrand has entered the Audi Etchells Queensland Championship today ready to battle the impressive competition that are due to commence racing next Thursday the 7th December on Moreton Bay.

Another former America’s Cup sailor, Rob Brown with his crew of Bruce Wookey and Gary Gudmunson will challenge Bertrand and his team being Ernest Lawrence and Jake Newman on the race course located east of St Helena Island where Moreton Bay is renowned for harsh chop and consistent pressure.

Brisbane America’s Cup campaigner Mark Bradford, yet to finalise his crew, will use his extensive local knowledge to challenge Bertrand and Brown at the strong and fierce Etchells game.

Competitors from around the country have already begun to arrive at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron which will also host the Audi Etchells Australian Championship in mid January.

Local sailors, including Brisbane Fleet Champions Vaughan Prentice, Darren Hutchison, Will Thompson and Chris Anderson have been training on the championship course leading up the two championship events; however understand that anything can happen on Moreton Bay.

Last minute entries are coming in fast which many Etchells sailors keen to race in Brisbane on the traffic free waters.

Entries to date www.etchellsregattas0708.com/entries

Online Entry Now available for Audi Etchells Queensland & Australian Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 November 2007

All Etchells sailors who intend on racing in the forthcoming Audi Queensland and Australian Championship are encouraged to enter online using the new facility that was launched today on the official regatta website www.etchellsregattas0708.com

Entries for both regattas have already been received with current Australian and Midwinter Champion Skip Lissiman venturing north to Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron to defend his title on Moreton Bay.

“The last time I sailed on Moreton Bay was back in the 70’s during a Cherub Australian Championship!” said Lissiman.

Lissiman’s crew are still undetermined, however will be announced within days.

Local sailors and current Etchells Brisbane Fleet and Audi Spring Series Champions Vaughan Prentice, Darren Hutchison, Will Thompson and Chris Anderson will be racing in both regattas.

“We have been doing a lot of training on the Championship course over the recent months, however the conditions are going to be fierce out there, regardless of the amount of training”, said Prentice.

All information regarding the regatta, including the Notice of Race for the Queensland and Australian Championship can be found at www.etchellsregattas0708.com

Online entry form:
www.etchellsregattas0708.com/enteronline