Sleek ‘sharks’ of sailing catch your eye If you want to truly experience one-design keelboat racing there is only one choice: the Brisbane Etchells Fleet! In 2024 we completed our State Championships with a clear win to Grant Hudson on “Pegasus” with Lincoln Fraser from New Zealand sailing “Dangerzone” finishing second, and R/Cdre Todd Anderson sailing “TAG” finishing third. Grant has built a great team of seasoned competitive sailors: he is representing the fleet at the World Championships in 2025 and we know he will place well. The Brisbane Fleet is proud to kick off a new annual sailing event: ‘The Etchells Corinthian Cup – for the love of sailing.’ The Corinthian Cup is about getting back to basics — the essence of sailing without the luxury of digital information — and showing who can really understand sailing. With the first regatta scheduled for 26–28 April 2025, the event is sure to gather the most experienced sailors to compete at a high level. Etchells traditionally carry only a compass in close competitive racing. On a normal weekend, after 45 minutes of racing, it is not uncommon to have less than two minutes between first and last place, with scant seconds between line crosses … all the while attacking the breeze with only a compass — now, that’s sailing! The Etchells class has also introduced a ‘code-of-conduct’ to ensure we support a high standard of engagement and respect in the class. If you are out on the water on a Saturday, look over towards Green Island and you will see the most majestic 30-foot sailing boats out on the water; the skippers and crews may lack the shark-like elegance and grace of their vessels, but never mind ... the Etchells are graceful and forgiving as a sleek boat to sail. Early in the 2024 Season, the fleet held a ‘Try Etchells Day’ with support from our wonderful RQYS Volunteers. With 28 attending to experience the fun — before, on and after the water — of racing Etchells, the event was a great success: a number of attendees returned in the following weeks, looking to become part of the fun every Saturday during the season — see the following double-page spread for some great images of the day! All are welcome to visit “Etchells Avenue” on the hardstand on a Saturday morning and have a chat to any of the crews who enjoy sailing these most beautiful boats! n The Etchells class is in growth mode again as we take on new members, with two upcoming back-to-back World Championships, the next in Melbourne in January 2025, writes Brisbane Fleet Captain Martin Sinclair, outlining new initiatives to attract sailors of all ages and with a wrap of the 2024 State Championships held on Waterloo Bay. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook Mainsheet 2024 29 Brisbane Etchells Fleet Report
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