INTERNATIONAL ETCHELLS CLASS ASSOCIATION NEWS LIST NEWS ARTICLE Jan 14, 2006 - Hot fleet in Audi Australian Etchells Championship The start list for the Championship, reads like a who's who of international sailors, with America’s Cup legends, Olympians, world champions and leading ocean racers – and all good Etchells sailors. One of the final events to be sailed under the Sail Melbourne umbrella, spectators can expect to see some tough and close racing from the likes of John Bertrand, the man who steered Australia to victory in the America’s Cup way back in 1983, as well as winning a bronze medal at the Montreal 1976 Olympics in the single-handed Finn class. Other ‘names’ include North sailmaker Michael Coxon, recently returned from racing aboard Neville Crichton’s super maxi Alfa Romeo in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart. Coxon is one of the best Etchells sailors on the Sydney sailing scene and has won many events in many classes and, with winning Alinghi America’s Cup crew member Will McCarthy joining the crew, will be tough to beat. Two other North sailmakers are also favoured. Queenslander Mark 'Squark' Bradford, is a proven performer in the Etchells, and is taking a break from his BMW Oracle America’s Cup sailing to contest these Nationals. Ross Lloyd runs the Melbourne loft, but has not sailed seriously in the class for some time. However, Lloyd’s CV includes two Sydney-Hobart overall wins – a claim few can make - his tactics paying dividends for both Geno Kinesic’s Illusion and Georgia Georgia’s Unsaid. Two Olympic Games in the Finn class and excellent Etchells results over the years always makes South Australian sailor Chris Pratt a force to contend with -and the same came be said for 18-foot skiff world champion Rob Brown from Sydney. 'Brownie' is always at the top end of the Etchells fleet and excluding Iain Murray’s crew, was the best performed Aussie at the 2005 Etchells Worlds in the USA. He has local wins in the class as well. Others who always perform strongly are Sydneysiders Julian Planet and Steven Tracy and Victorians' Simon Cannington, Yachting Australia president Andrew Plympton and former Etchells champion Gary Sheared. From Queensland watch out for David Rose, and for the lone female skipper in the event, Mary Hanna from Geelong. Audi’s sponsorship of the Championship is part of the company’s commitment to sailing in 2006. Audi has already become a major player in several key sailing events in Australia. The brand recently sponsored the maxi AAPT in the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race and is the principal sponsor of the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta event being held in March and the Audi Etchells World Championships in Perth in November. by Di Pearson / Sail-World.com Back To Top Of Page Site © Copyright 2002. International Etchells Class Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.