Etchells down under
John Bertrand is looking forward to a thrilling Etchells World Championship in Australia in January.
Written by Nic Douglass
Photography by © Harry Fisher, Down Under Sail
10 October 2024
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Australia will welcome competitors for Etchells World Championship in January and passionate Etchells sailor and renowned Australian champion, John Bertrand shared his excitement on the upcoming event and Australia’s role as host to teams from around the world.
“What an opportunity! Port Phillip Bay as a race track is one of the worlds finest. Before Olympic selections were leveraged off international regatta results, all Australian Olympic selection trials were conducted exclusively on Port Phillip Bay. There truly is no better place in the country to race sailboats” Bertrand enthused.
“A wide range of conditions, generally onshore 8-16 knots. And just as importantly Royal Brighton Yacht Club is a magnificent facility. The surrounding areas of Brighton and Melbourne are incredibly vibrant places to hang out full of cafes, restaurants and friendly Australians!”
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As he prepares for the Pre-Worlds, John will compete with his team at the Australian National Championships in Metung and the Christmas regatta held in Brighton with his boat Triad2020.
Looking at the current entries, he sees strong teams and anticipates fierce competition. “There are already multiple world champions in this hot fleet. I often say, the Etchells are the Olympic class in the non-Olympic years. This will be the same, just got to go through the list so far and they’re all showing up!” Bertrand commented.
As the excitement continues to build, sailors from around the globe are gearing up for some thrilling warm-up competition with the North American Championships and European Championships set for mid October.
John is confident that Australia’s setting and the talent present will lead to another fantastic year at the Etchells Worlds. “The racing will be red hot. Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world to visit and people will be blown away by the hospitality.”
This year has seen a significant increase in representation of youth and female sailors across world-class competitions in sailing. John believes the Etchells will continue to showcase the best sailing has to offer, not only for youth and women, but also for Corinthian sailors.
“I’m thrilled to see the resurgence of the Corinthian sailors and the youth are our future. We have seen the Youth America’s Cup play out in Barcelona and it has been a huge success and the Women’s America’s Cup is on the horizon. It is the responsibility of the finest one design racing in the world via the Etchells class to encourage this,” Bertrand remarked.
With esteemed sailors like John Bertrand leading the charge, the World Championship promises not only high-level racing but also a vibrant cultural experience for participants and spectators alike.
The upcoming Australian Nationals and Christmas Cup will further enhance the excitement, drawing in top competitors eager to make their mark before the World Championship.
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