This one design keelboat fleet may be disappearing from Irish shores but an Irish presence at the Etchells World Championships remains with at least three Irish boats competing in Hong Kong over the past week. Richard and Samantha Burrows and James Downer, flew the flag for Howth Yacht Club in 27th place overall with ex-pat Jamie McWilliam, now based in Hong Kong, and sailing with Patrick Pender and Gareth Flannigan in 16th overall. Also racing was Irish-born Noel Drennan who has extensive big boat experience on boats such as BMW Oracle finished ninth.
Going into the final day of the Championships American yacht Aretas held a five point lead over compatriot Scimitar, with a gaggle of boats in prime position to step up on the podium in third place.
The Race management team was on the course an hour earlier than usual, with PRO Kevin Wilson finding 8 to 10kts ENE and "no sheep in the paddock" on perhaps the flattest race course to date.
In a nail biting finish on the final beat, in spite of Scimitar taking their third bullet of the series after leading all the way, Aretas made up a further two places to finish fourth with celebrations on board as McClean, Skip Dieball and Jeff Eiber crossed the line as 2015 Etchells World Champions.
Final top ten:
1. Aretas, Skip Dieball / Jon McClean / Jeff Eiber, USA, 27 points
2. SCIMITAR, Steve Benjamin / George Peet / Luke Lawrence / Meihan Cheung, USA, 29
3. Magpie , Graeme Taylor / Grant Simmer / Steve Jarvin, AUS, 50
4. PHAN, Jeremy Thorp / Stuart Childerley / Mark Andrews, GBR, 50
5. The Martian, Marvin Beckmann / Steve Hunt / Danielle Septembre / Stephanie Roble, USA, 55
6. Swedish Blue, Ante Razmilovic / Stuart Flinn / Chris Larson, GBR, 57
7. Gen XY, Matthew Chew / Brian Donovan / Ashley Deeks / Alex Gough, AUS, 59
8. 1375, Argyle Campbell / Michael Menninger / Nick Martin / Victor Diaz de Leon, AUS, 62
9. Baby Doll, Noel Drennan / Richard Allanson / Michael O'Brien , AUS, 77
10. The HORN , Dirk Kneulman / Anatole Masfen / Andrew Wills, NZL, 79
