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Just seconds separated some of the Etchells crews in the 45-minute races sailed in the 2022 COAST Etchells National Championships in the Waitemata.
The close racing was run with typical precision of the host club, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, over eight windward-leeward races to decide the overall winners Simon Cooke, Anatole Masfen and Matt Kelway aboard ‘Cruel Jane.
The winning crew recently returned from a triumphant second place in the 2022 Etchells World Championships in Cowes, England, and proved that consistency pays off with a close chasing pack of three boats covered by only 2 points.
Rounding out the podium was 2013 Etchells World Champion Marvin Beckman and his team on ‘The Martian’, and multiple NZ Keelboat champion and world match racer Laurie Jury’s team aboard ‘Bobbies Girl’. Only one point behind them was Lincoln Frasers team on ‘Alliance’.
1996 470 Olympian, Rowan Cooke, and his team on Feng Shui were also well in the hunt, only 5 points further behind, hampered by a tough last race in the shifty conditions.
Remarkably, all competitors had at least 1 race in the top 3, reinforcing the quality of the close racing.
With all Etchells constructed to strict one-design measurements and a very strong international class, the Etchells provides excellent one-design racing.
The primary New Zealand fleet races from Westhaven on Tuesday evenings, and has the option to compete at the annual World Championships, including Perth in 2024 and Melbourne in 2026.
As Auckland fleet captain, Alex Webster who, with his team including his son Toby charged to sixth place in the regatta, commented at the prize giving ceremony;
“The Etchells class provides some of the best and most closely fought one-design racing in New Zealand, in a low-cost, beautifully traditional keelboat in the 12m style. Etchells racing is fun, fast and affordable. What more could a one-design sailing fan desire?”
TOP 5 RESULTS:
- 1st Simon Cooke, Anatole Masfen, Matt G Kelway 11pts
- 2nd Marvin Beckmann, Robbie McCutcheon, Chester Duffett 21 pts
- 3rd Laurie Jury, Scott Dickson, Rob Hielkema 21 pts
- 4th Lincoln Fraser, Sam Mackay, Liv Mackay, Jack Frewin 22 pts
- 5th Rohan Cooke,Ashton Cooke, Alex Hebberd, Andre Vandam 27 pts
