RQYS Etchells Fleet Update

Saturday was another great day of Etchells sailing in perfect Etchells weather. We are averaging 5 boats each week but it would be great to get another couple out each Saturday. This weekend looks to be just as good – if just a little lighter.

Disappointing to see Tristan deciding he doesn’t have the time to commit and is putting Bait and Switch up for sale. There are now several good local boats for sale at very good prices. Anyone out there looking to jump into a fun and competitive class at a low entry point – this is your chance.

And to all the regulars – now is the time to start getting organized for the upcoming local regattas as per below.

Coming up in 2025 – Fleet Champs 22-23 March – RQYS
– Corinthian Cup 26-28 Apr – RQYS (Anzac weekend)
– QLD States 17-18 May – Gold Coast
– Winter Champs 7-9 June – Gold Coast

Planning for the Corinthian Cup is coming along well with a lot of work being put in behind the scenes and the NOR is to be released shortly. Indications are that we will get some good support from Sydney with potentially 8-10 boats coming up. A fleet of 20 boats would be a great start to what we hope will be an annual event on the calendar. With our class like many others becoming more & more professional, the Corinthian Cup is an opportunity for the weekend racer to race bigger events on a more level playing field.

Saturday, 7 February 2025

As I Saw It (and remembered it!)

This week Knot Easy welcomed Jason back on board for his first hit out of the season. We had two subbed in skippers on the water this week with Peter Milliken of Gauntlet fame filling in on The Project for Gary while he takes in the slopes of Japan and Remco took control of Athena while Helen goes trapsing around NZ for a few weeks. Missing was Waterloo Too but Patto assured us he will be back next week.

Another perfect Etchells day was forecast – 11-12kt SEer, and once again Huey delivered.

Race one saw a fight for the pin end and though the left was expected to be favoured as the wind moved east over the afternoon it was more about keeping in the pressure and picking the shifts. The first beat was very close with The Saint coming out ahead at the top. Knot Easy and Rapscallion were locked in a tight battle and rounded side by side 3-4 lengths behind The Saint. Just a handful of lengths further back The Project was locked into a close encounter with Athena, rounding just a length ahead.

The run saw Rapscallion extend away from Knot Easy and draw parallel to The Saint. They rounded alternative marks at the bottom simultaneously. The Saint extended on the right hand side and had a narrow lead when they met mid beat. The Saint put a loose cover on Rapscallion until just before the top when they allowed Rapscallion to take a hitch out to the left where they found a pressure shift to round the top mark by a couple of lengths. Knot Easy rounded comfortably in 3^rd. The Project by this stage had gained control over Athena to be 4^th.

The final run saw Rapscallion extend to comfortably take the gun with the top mark positions remaining the same. The PHRF handicapping system seemed to be working with just 4 seconds separating the top 4 boats.

Jason decided the discretion was the better part of valour and withdrew from race 2 in order to avoid aggravating his mending long term injury.

Race 2 again saw a battle for the pin. With the breeze down a knot or 2, the pressure lines had a bigger impact and the shifts were a little larger. The Saint took control early though the second half of the beat Rapscallion came back and rounded the top a couple of lengths clear ahead. The Project rounded 3rd well in front of Athena. Once again Rapscallion extended on the run to comfortably lead at the bottom from The Saint and the Project. They put a loose cover on The Saint as the sailed up the middle of the course. Athena, looking to pull a rabbit out of a hat went hard right on the final beat only to find no hat or rabbits out there.

The final run was just about keeping in pressure and keeping close to the rhum line as the breeze flicked left and once again the top mark positions remained with Rapscallion taking their second bullet for the day and a 5^th on the trot. The Saint finished their day with 2 seconds.

The Project had 2 firsts in the season points score denting Athena’s challenge to Rapscallion and cementing their 3rd place with just a couple of months of racing left.

See you all next week.

(The author accepts no responsibilities for any inaccuracies, distortions of the truth or outright lies.)