1:55 AM Thu 11 Mar 2010 GMT
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'Jake Gunther and crew (The Boat) - 2010 Etchells Victorian Championships'
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Jake Gunther and his crew of Tony McPhail and Stuart Skeggs sailing 'The Boat ' have taken out the 2010 Victorian Etchells Championship. Sailed off Brighton in very testing conditions, they outsailed a very impressive field of seasoned Etchells campaigners.
With the top boats at this year's National Championship lining up for a rematch, this event was always going to be a serious stoush between John Bertrand, Graham Taylor/ Grant Warrington and Damien King.
Day One racing got underway in a slowly building westerly, around 8 to 10 knots. The fleet split early with most thinking that the right was the way but as things unfolded the smart money crossed to the left. Those that stayed right were struggling to get decent air to cross back on.
The breeze gradually freshened throughout the race and didn't really get up until the run to the finish. At the last top mark Jake Gunther (The Boat) rounded first with Graham Taylor (Magpie) in hot pursuit. Third was Geelong sailor Brendan Garner (The Moe Szyslakexperience), who opted to gybe late and as a result came blasting through on a hot angle with awesome pace to win.
'We got up planning and just didn't stop, we were able to move from wave set to wave set with the boat screaming along. Fantastic Etchells conditions' said Garner after his exciting opening race win.
On Sunday Race 2 was completed after a delay waiting for the breeze. In a light westerly, Damien King (Barry) and crew led at every mark. Ross Lloyd (The Nurse) held onto a solid second and once again Geelong sailor Garner was in 'the chocolates' with a third place.
The breeze was steadily building as the third race got underway, with most crews opting to change up to their flatter headsails with the prediction of stronger air to come. At the first mark Garner led with two times world champion John Savage (Black Knight) second and Jake Gunther a close third. 'We slipped down inside John on that run and after a very polite discussion about the wind through the centre, we all decided to gybe into a stronger vane of air and as a result we rounded the bottom mark equal first with Garner. It was a very cool moment of intelligent, considered tactical fleet sailing' Jake Gunther said. 'That is what makes this fleet so good to be a part of; it is set it apart from so many other classes because of it's incredible depth.'
Saturday Night was very memorable with the sponsors 'True South' putting on food and delicious boutique beers at their new Brewery in Black Rock. It was a well attended regatta function and was a great opportunity for lots of scuttle butt and generally catching up with interstate crews and old mates.
Monday proved to be a tough day for PRO Ross Wilson as, after starting the fleet in 15 knots, a cell moved over and decimated the fleet with a 40 knot blast. It was amazing to watch Gunther and Taylor match racing Etchells for the regatta win in 35 plus knots - unbelievable seamanship. As the fleet neared the top mark, wind speeds were up to nearly 40 knots and it was obvious the only option was to abandon and wait ashore for the weather to clear and then have another go at getting the race underway. At 3.30 the AP came down and the fleet left the harbour only to get pounded by another 30 knot cell. PRO Ross Wilson made the difficult call and decided that due to the untenable weather, racing was not possible and the regatta was over.
Jake Gunther and his crew were declared the winners. Gunther, who is a World Governor and Australian Vice president of the Etchells class said after receiving the winner's trophy, 'Tony and Stuart and I have been working hard on our Etchells sailing generally and still feel we have a long way to go with our preparation towards Sydney in 2012. We have only had the last season as a team so it is great to be getting good results so early. The next hit out will be Mooloolaba (Etchells Mid-Winters) . we can't wait!'
The Etchells Class would like to thank sponsors True South Brewing Co, the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, PRO Ross Wilson and all the volunteers for all their assistance running this event.
by Cameron Arthur
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