It was a dramatic finish to the third day of the Etchells World Championship, sponsored by Red Funnel Ferries. John Bertrand, representing the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (AUS), was initially disqualified from Race 5, for being over early on a U-Flag start, and then re-instated after the Race Committee reviewed the decision. “We have cameras at both ends of the line and this system enabled us to have an exact picture at the start. Having reviewed this evidence some teams were re-instated for Race 5.” confirmed Principle Race Officer, Phil Lawrence.

Steve Benjamin, representing the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club (USA), scored a bullet in Race 4, and fought back from a mid-fleet start in Race 5, to end the day four points behind Bertrand. “We fully expected John (Bertrand) to be ahead when we came in. He got a great start in the last race, as did we in the race before.” commented Steve Benjamin. “I love coming to Cowes, I have been here for five Admiral's Cups and the Jubilee, and it is one of my favourite places in the world to go sailing. Today was tough again, but we have a really good team, and we are happy with our speed.”

Chris Hampton's team, representing the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (AUS), is third on countback from Noel Drennan's team, representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. “I only started sailing in 2002.” admitted Chris Hampton. “I have really only sailed in an Etchells for those years. So far in the Worlds we have tried to avoid making errors and concentrating on our speed, that has given us the results, to put us where we are. I was once told, in Etchells racing it is not about doing the extraordinary, it is about avoiding mistakes. The mood on board is excellent and our goal at the start of the regatta was to make the top ten, that is still our aim.”

Seamus McHugh's team, flying the Swiss flag, is in fifth place for the regatta after a podium finish in Race Four. Cowes Etchells Fleet Captain and Regatta Director, David Franks, had a stellar day on the water, posting two top ten finishes to lift his team, representing the Royal London Yacht Club (GBR) to 6th overall.

“Today's success was a combination of ten years sailing in the Etchells and ten years of learning so many small things.” commented David Franks. “The difference between these teams is not great, the difference is in the detail. You can get some lucky breaks, but it is all about the detail, and in particular it is about my crew, especially Graham Sunderland. He has stuck with me for years, when I was a hopeless helmsman. I was rather amused to see Ian Walker recently saying that 19 is not too young to start sailing, because I was 39!”

In the Corinthian Class, Scott Kaufman's team representing the Royal freshwater Bay Yacht Club (AUS), still leads despite being disqualified for U-Flag infringement in Race 5. Thomas Brennan's team, representing the Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR), is now just 11 points behind Kaufman. James Badenach's team, representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, is third. Other top performers in the Corinthian Class today were Stephen Line, who scored the best result in the Corinthian Fleet for Race 5 and Bill Steele team, representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club (AUS), which had a cracking day on the water, to place the team fourth overall in the Corinthian Class.

After racing the Royal Mersey Yacht Club, which has a fleet of 12 Etchells, provided a delicious and substantial English Tea, to fortify the sailors. Tonight Etchells World Championship supporter, Red Funnel Ferries, will entertain 250 Etchells Sailors and guests at the Royal London Yacht Club. A champagne reception and plated buffet will be well received by the party. Kevin George, Chief Executive Officer Red Funnel Group, will welcome the Etchells fleet and present John Bertrand with the Red Funnel Trophy for the best combined result for Red Funnel Race Day.

Racing for the 2016 Etchells World Championship continues on Thursday 8th September. With a discard kicking in from Race 6, a big change in the results is a distinct possibility. The 2016 Etchells World Championship media team will deliver live updates, including GPS Tracking, as well as daily results, news stories, interviews, videos, and pictures.

Provisional results here 

There was some more Aussie cheer, on Day Two of the Etchells World Championship. Irish born Noel 'Nitro' Drennan, has raced Etchells with Dennis Connor and John Bertrand, and his experience showed today, nailing the pin end of the start to win Race Three by a handsome margin. Drennan's bullet lifts his team above John Bertrand, but only into 2nd place. The Stars & Stripes of Steve 'Benji' Benjamin's team, from Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club Connecticut USA, leads the Etchells World Championship after three races.

“Very challenging today and a lot of fun.” summed up Steve Benjamin. “We were unsure, which side was going to pay before the start. Literally before the gun, the pin came good and we were near that end of the line. It was then about how long to stay on that tack, that was dictated by the tide and the wind, and also the lane we were holding. The lane started to get congested so we tacked over and made it in good shape to the top mark. There is a long way to go in this regatta and the results do not count a throw out yet, so we are taking absolutely nothing for granted. It is a lot of fun sailing in this fleet, the racing is really tight and it is a fantastic mix of sailors, from so many areas of the sport.”

Chris Hampton's team, representing the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (AUS) is now in 4th position. Seamus McHugh's team, including two-time Olympic gold medallist, Luis Doreste, finished 2nd in Race 3, lifting the team flying the Swiss flag, into 5th overall. Mark Thornburrow's team, representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, and including two-time Olympic gold medallist, Malcolm Page, is now in 6th place. Ante Razmilovic (GBR), sailing with multiple world champion Chris Larson, finished the day in 7th, after another top ten result. Shannon Bush (USA) has broken into the top ten, but Andy Beadsworth's team, representing Warsash Sailing Club (GBR), scored a 20th today and drops to 9th. “I am not use to being mid-fleet in an Etchells, and I don't like it; it is really tough in that pack.” In 10th place is Andrew Cooper, racing with four–time Irish Olympian, Mark Mansfield, and Calum Healey.

In the Corinthian Class, Martin Webster's team, representing the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (AUS), have taken the lead. Thomas Brennan's team, representing the Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR) drops to 2nd. James Badenach's team, representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, move up to third. The best result of the Corinthian Class today was Mark Downer's team, representing the Bembridge Sailing Club (GBR), lifting the team to 4th in the class. Bill Steele's gentleman's duel with Tim Patton for a bottle of wine is warming up. Tim Patton's team, representing the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, scored a big victory over Bill Steele's team, representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Bill will be buying the wine tonight!

Robert Elliott, Chairman and Senior Partner of Linklaters London, is racing at the Etchells World Championship, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Today's daily Prize Giving was supported by Harken and Linklaters. Robert Elliott, Chairman and Senior Partner of Linklaters London, is racing at the Etchells World Championship, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron (GBR). The daily meeting between all the sailors is a great get-together, and the fleet delivered a special present to Samantha Burrows, who has cut short her honeymoon to compete with her father, Richard Burrows, representing the Royal Ocean Racing Club (GBR). Samantha has been sailing with her father since the 2010 Etchells World Championship in Howth. “I love the Etchells, and the best thing about it, is I get to sail with my daughter.” commented Richard Burrows.

Racing at the 2016 Etchells World Championship will continue tomorrow, Wednesday 7th September, with races scheduled in the Central Solent. The 2016 Etchells World Championship media team will deliver live updates, including GPS Tracking, as well as daily results, news stories, interviews, videos, and pictures.

Provisional Results can be found here

The 2016 Etchells World Championship started in earnest today, with two intensely competitive races in the Central Solent. It took four attempts to get the fleet away for Race One and the U-Flag start produced several casualties, including reigning Etchells World Champions, Skip Dieball, Jon McClean and Jeff Eiber North Cape YC (USA). “Yes, we will be back out fighting tomorrow, we have got our discard out of the way on the first race.” commented Jon McClean. Teams from five different nations occupy the top ten places. However two teams from the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Victoria Australia, finished the day at the top of the leaderboard. Full results are here

Race One was won by Chris Hampton racing with Sam Haines and Mark Andrews Royal Brighton Yacht Club (AUS). The chat in the beer tent afterwards suggested that Hampton's team, sailed extremely well today. Ante Razmilovic racing with Chris Larson and Stuart Flinn, representing the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (ITA), scored a bullet in Race Two.

Day One, top performer was John Bertrand, racing with Paul Blowers and Ben Lamb, representing the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (AUS). After two races, Bertrand leads by three points from Hampton. Steve Benjamin's team, from the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club (USA), is the smoking gun in third, behind the Australians. Peter Duncan, American Yacht Club (USA), is in fourth on countback from Andy Beadsworth, Warsash SC (GBR). Noel 'Nitro' Drennan, representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club is just a point behind in sixth.

“Consistency is the key and we could not have done better than that today.” commented John Bertrand. “Between being a hero or a loser is the thickness of a sheet of paper. In Race One, we rounded the top mark in 30th and it was all about chipping away and eventually finishing 4th. This regatta is about holding it together and seeing the forest from the trees, placing the boat in the best place for the wind and the tide, and dealing with all the boats around you. To win this regatta, you have to be able to come back from the dead – everybody will find themselves in that position during the week.”

In the Corinthian Class, Thomas Brennan's team of Ian Dobson, Sam Maxfield and Honor Fell, representing the Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR), scored an impressive 4th in the second race, to lead the 18 teams racing on countback. Martin Webster team of Annabel Vose, Peter Nicholas and Chris Smith from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Perth (AUS) is in second. Webster's result was impressive, after recovering Annabel Vose from an unscheduled swim! James Badenach's team of Christian Thompson, Elliot Hanson and Martin Wrigley, from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, finished the day in third.

Bill Steele from Perth, Australia and Tim Patton from Bermuda, have accumulated 52 Etchells World Championships between them. Both fly a distinctive wine glass on their spinnaker, signifying a gentleman's bet. Bill Steele's cup was definitely half full today, finishing the day in fifth position in the Corinthian Class, ahead of Tim Patton. Today's Prize Giving was sponsored by Spinlock and wine merchants Justerini & Brooks, who had a special prize for Bill Steele

“This is my 25th Etchells Worlds but Tim has done 27. We both carry the wine glass on our spinnakers to signify a gentleman's wager of a bottle of fine wine on every race.” smiled Bill Steele. “We can see each other on the race course and today, it was very close in the first race, which I managed to win, and got away well in the second to win quite well. It was very nice of Justerini & Brooks to put up a fine bottle of wine today. I intend to enjoy it with my wife Annabelle, whom the boat, Chelsea Lady, is named after.”

Racing at the 2016 Etchells World Championship will continue tomorrow, Tuesday 6th September, with two races scheduled in the Central Solent.

250 guests attended the Etchells World Championship Gala Reception, hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club last night. The Medina Marching Band opened proceedings, and Regatta Director, David Franks, welcomed the sailors to the regatta. As the flags of the 11 nations (including Ireland) taking part were raised on Trinity Landing, the international gathering cheered everyone. 58 teams will battle it out in the Solent over the next six days, amongst them are the glitterati from the world of sailing, as well as passionate corinthian sailors. Royal London was also the venue for a meeting about weight limits in the class last week.

A closer look at the fleet reveals immense quality in depth, 14 past and present Etchells World Champions are just the tip of the iceberg. From dinghy to Maxi World Champions, arguably the coolest collection of sailors, anywhere in the world, has gathered in Cowes. 20 Olympians, with four gold and three bronze medals between them, as well as World Champions from 24 different classes and America's Cup competitors and winners.

World class sailors include, Skip Dieball (USA), Jon McClean (USA) and Jeff Eiber (USA): 2015 Etchells World Champions. John Bertrand (AUS): America's Cup winning skipper, Etchells World Champion and Olympic medallist. Malcolm Page (AUS): two-time Olympic gold medallist and six-time 470 World Champion. Steve Benjamin (USA): Olympic silver medallist, Fireball, 505 and Maxi World Champion. Luis Doreste (ESP): Five time Olympian and two-time gold medallist. Lawrie Smith (GBR): Round the world legend, two-time Olympic bronze medallist and Dragon World Champion. Ian Dobson (GBR): Five time GP14 World Champion and Chris Larson (USA): Melges 24, J/22, J/24, Mumm 36, Swan 45 and Maxi World Champion...and those are just the highlights.

Four World Champion yachtswomen will be competing: World Champion Match Racing and Olympic sisters, Lucy and Kate McGregor (GBR), 420 & J/111 World Champion Annabel Vose (GBR) and Stephanie Roble (USA) Etchells World Champion and 2014 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year.

“This is my Zen, it's like meditation.” commented John Bertrand, the man who wrestled the America's Cup from a fellow Etchells World Champion, Dennis Connor. “Everything else just gets stripped away at the Etchells Worlds, and we are all back to just pure sailing. Some other areas of the sport are full of politics but not here, which is why it is so popular with so many different sailors. The Etchells Class is probably the most competitive one-design class going, one mistake and you get spat out the back, and nobody is going to apologise. Ashore after racing the spirit is just fantastic.”

Racing at the 2016 Etchells World Championship will be held from Monday 5th to Saturday 10th September, with multiple windward -leeward racing in the Central Solent. Six races will constitute a series and the overall winner will receive the antique silver Founders Trophy, and join a list of impressive Etchells World Championship winners.

There is ongoing disgruntlement among some members of the Etchells fleet as to how rule changes were effected and communicated on the eve of the class world championships in Cowes tomorrow.

The assembled fleet on the English South coast learned of a class rule change regarding weigh in for crews by way of a Facebook post two weeks ago. Previously, a crew weight limit of 285–kilos was monitored for all crews before the start of the regatta, and again on Wednesday evening.

The change announced meant that crews weighing in at less than 277 k were excused the mid-week weigh. All others would have to reweigh on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning before racing.

This caused mixed reaction amongst the fleet. Those targeting 277 were delighted at being finished with weighing, those near to 285 were annoyed at the frequency of the reweigh.

So, yesterday, all crews were summoned to an emergency meeting in the Royal London Yacht Club. The meeting was a sell–out. There was expectation of a debate and discussion. Instead, the class chairman Gary Gilbert, walked into the room at the appointed hour, according to Afloat.ie sources, and read a short announcement which he said was an amendment of the Sailing Instructions.

The change results in crews within eight kg of the limit having to reweigh on Wednesday and crews less than that having no reweigh. All crews in the top ten on Friday will have to reweigh.

So, an outcome that should please everyone. Except, of course, the Class Governors who appear to have got it badly wrong in making the change and failing to communicate it to the members. Remember girls and toilet breaks?

The New Zealand team racing Feng Shui of Andrew Wills, Anatole Masfen and Matthew Kelway, has won the 2016 Etchells Open European Championship writes Louay Habib. After two days of tricky shifting breeze in the Solent, the New Zealand Team racing from Royal Akarana Yacht Club scored no worse than a seventh, in the four race series, to win the first regatta of the event, and bragging rights for the forthcoming 2016 Etchells World Championship.

A number of Irish sailors are competing in the event, including one Irish boat, skippered by Richard Burrows of Howth YC. According to the event website, no overall results are available to date. Overalls will be here. 

The New Zealand team, who are all from Auckland won the series in a 50–boat fleet of Olympic and America's Cup winners as well as as a multitude of World Champions. Current British National Champion, Ante Razmilovic, racing under the burgee of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda ITA, was second. Steve Benjamin's team from the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club Connecticut USA was just a point behind in third. America's Cup winner and past Etchells World Champion, John Bertrand sailing for the Royal Brighton YC, Victoria AUS was the winner of the last race of the series.

Eddie Warden Owen's RORC team of Ossie Stewart and John Greenwood, was top Corinthian Team for the Etchells Open European Championship.  “ I first came to Cowes in 1994 racing an Etchells and I fell in love with Cowes and the class.” commented Feng Shui's Anatole Masfen. “Cowes is the 'Disneyland' of yachting, it is where yacht racing began.

I believe this is a very special place and the job that David Franks (Cowes Etchells Class Capitan) and his team have done, to invigorate the class, is very exciting and I am just glad to be part of it.”

Racing at the 2016 Etchells World Championship will start on Monday 5th September and conclude on Saturday September 10th. 58 teams from fourteen countries will be taking part.

For the first day of the 2016 Etchells Open European Championship, Principal Race Officer, Phil Lawrence, prophesied that it might be a long day and he was spot on writes Louay Habib. Malahide YC's Bedrock skippered by Richard Burrows is 24th from 50 and fourth in the Corinthian fleet. Jay Bourke's Doris from Dun Laoghaire is 35th. Royal Cork's Mark Mansfield sailing on Andrew Cooper's Ice is lying 38th. Results are here.

The wind behaved worse than a wayward child, refusing to settle down until mid-afternoon. Once the wind settled into the northwest, three good races were held in the Central Solent. However, it wasn't until sundown that the fleet returned to Cowes Yacht Haven.

“With a forecast for less wind tomorrow, we knew we had to get the races in today, and that was a difficult task.” commented Phil Lawrence. “Once we got going, the wind was still shifting around, but at least we had a peak of 15 knots - the mark layers had a tough day of it today. With the forecast conditions tomorrow, we have amended the schedule to start after 2 p.m. Hopefully, we will get at least one race in to make the series.”

The top Etchells team today was Feng Shui, from the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, NZ. Helmed by Andrew Wills and owned by Anatole Masfen, Matthew Kelway completes the line up. The team has won several New Zealand National Titles and Wills was on Jud Smith's winning team for the 2006 Etchells Worlds.

“We haven't done much practice so far for the worlds, so we are very happy with the results today.” commented Andrew Wills. “Our speed is good but we are not taking anything for granted. To be honest, we got lucky with the shifts today. We have sailed together for over ten years, so spending ten hours on a boat together is not a problem. We hope we can continue the good form tomorrow.”

The top Corinthian crew today was Luder, from the Royal Ocean Racing Club, skippered by the club's CEO Eddie Warden Owen. Olympic medallist Ossie Stewart and double Finn World Masters Champion, John Greenwood, make up the crew.

“The race team did a very good job today; getting in three decent races was extremely difficult.” commented Eddie Warden Owen. “We are still learning how to sail the boat, but today we had good speed and we got off the line. To do well in this fleet, we will have to consistently perform at that level.”

Ante Razmilovic's Swedish Blue, representing the Yacht Club Costa Esmeralda, finished the day second, three points behind Feng Shui. Chris Hampton's Tango, representing the Royal Brighton Yacht Club Victoria AUS, finished the day in third. Steve Benjamin's team from the Seawanhaka Corinthian YC, Connecticut USA was fourth. There were race wins today for Jim Cunningham's Lifted from San Francisco USA and Andy Beadsworth's K2 from Warsash SC UK.

Racing for the 2016 Etchells Open European Championship concludes tomorrow. One more race will constitute a series, two more will see the discard kick in.

Ireland will be well represented across the fleet at the Etchells European Championships that starts in Cowes today.

The Etchells 22 Class is, by many, regarded as one of the most competitive one design keelboat classes left now that there is no longer an Olympic Keelboat class.

The 2016 Worlds are scheduled for Cowes, Isle of Wight from the 5th to the 12th of Sept and will have 61 top level entries. Prior to that, in the same venue, will be the Etchells 22 European Championships, over today and tomorrow, which will is an unofficial warm–up event for the worlds.

Irish Interest in these events will be Malahide Yacht Club's Richard Burrows who is sailing Bedrock, with his daughter Samantha and local top sailor James Downer from Cowes. Royal Cork Yacht Club's Mark Mansfield, a four times Olympian in the Star Class, fresh from Success at the Irish IRC champs, Round Ireland Race, and European IRC Champs will sail as tactician on Andrew Coopers’ Ice. Mansfield has already Competed in the Quarter Ton Worlds in Cowes this year where he finished sixth and a fortnight ago won Cowes week in the Etchells 22 class aboard Coopers’ Ice.

Also racing in Cowes is Doris, skippered by Jay Bourke of Dun Laoghaire. Paddy Dillon (ex–Mermaid National Champion), Ruairi Grimes (third at recent J111 Worlds), Cathal Leigh Doyle (a former UCD Student Worlds Champion) and Morgan Reeser (American 470 Olympian married to 1996 Olympian Louise Cole) are also competing. Maurice O'Connell is coaching USA 1000 and USA 1404.

The Etchells Class is the choice of Many top Americas Cup and Olympic sailors and some top sailors competing this year include John Bertrand, Lawrie Smith, Steve Benjamin, Andy Beadsworth, Ante Razmiloviz, Chris Larson, Jud Smith, Jeff Madrigal, Luis Dopreste.

Reigning Champion is Skip Diebal from the USA and he will have his work cut out for him with such a competitive fleet, the majority of whom come from the USA, UK, Australia, and Hong Kong.

Howth's Bedrock skippered by Richard Burrows was the sole Irish Etchells competing at a star studded Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy fleet at the Royal Yacht Squadron at the weekend. The HYC boat finished 19th from 28 in a fleet that included former Volvo Round the World racer Lawrie Smith. The regatta attracted one of the largest fleets of Etchells seen in the Solent for many years. Bolstered by the forthcoming 2016 Etchells World Championship, to be held in the Solent 31 August – 10 September. 

The Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy was first competed for in 1995, after Sir Kenneth Preston, who had led the British sailing team in the 1960 Olympics, presented it to the Royal Yacht Squadron shortly prior to his death. Sir Kenneth wished that the trophy be competed for by a deserving one design fleet that had the spirit of one design and involves young sailors. It is a feather in the cap for the Cowes Etchells fleet to have retained it for so many years.

28 teams with sailors from Australia, Great Britain, Hong Kong and the United States of America, raced for the Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy. Three Royal London Etchells Youth Academy Teams took part, skippered by Anna Watkins, Owen Bannerman and Martin Evans.

The eight race programme over three days produced thrilling racing, with 11 teams achieving podium results. Peter Duncan was the winner of the Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy, Ante Razmilovic was second with Lawrie Smith third.

Commodore of the America Yacht Club, Peter Duncan and Tom Blackwell have campaigned Etchells for many years with top finishes including second, third, fourth, and fifth in world championships. Both grew up sailing in the JAYC (Junior American Yacht Club) program. Jud Smith, a Sonar, Mumm30 and Etchells World Champion, has been sailing with the team since 2013.

“We found the racing very tight with a solid mix of local and visitors trying to get ready for the Worlds.” commented Peter Duncan. “Throughout the regatta we had a lot of boats arriving at the weather mark together and there were some exciting leeward gate roundings. Cowes is a very interesting place to sail, as you not only have to be on your toes for shifts in the breeze, the current has to minded at all times. We saw a bit of everything this past weekend, which made it a great warm up event to the Worlds. In 2007 and since, we have not sailed in the breeze direction we had on Saturday so that was good to experience.

Our stay as always in Cowes was wonderful as there are so many fun places to go. The Royal Yacht Squadron did an outstanding job running the races in the varied conditions and especially setting up the starting lines. As always, David Franks and team did a wonderful job on the social side of the event with the dinner event at RYS being awesome. Not too many of us from overseas have ever been there so what a treat.”

David Franks, Cowes Etchells fleet captain. "We have been delighted that the interest in the Cowes Etchells Fleet continues to grow."
David Franks, the Cowes Etchells fleet captain commented: "We have been delighted that the interest in the Cowes Etchells Fleet continues to grow with record numbers competing for the Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy. This is the 22nd year that this Trophy has been awarded by the Royal Yacht Squadron; they ran eight excellent races and provided a superb supper on the Platform in the Castle for 94 competitors and their guests. Wonderful racing; wonderful food."

The Saida Cup 11-12 June, organised by the Royal Thames Yacht Club, is the next event in a busy season for the Cowes Etchells Fleet. The Etchells UK National Championship, organised by the Royal London Yacht Club, from 24-26 June, is an Etchells World Championship qualifying event.

Full results of the Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy are downloadable below.

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