Weekly Sailing Summary

Bertrand wins Etchells Nationals, British win Dragon Worlds, Outteridge wins Moth Worlds, 175th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour

KEEL BOATS

John Bertrand, current Etchells World Champion successfully defended his Australian title with the help of crew, Grant Simmer and Andrew 'Dog' Palfrey. Bertrand who won the America's Cup for Australia in 1983 has been sailing Etchells since 1990 after joining the One Design class, which had been his America's Cup arch-rival Denis Connor's favourite class for a long time. www.etchells.org.au/nationals

The British crew aboard Alfie, one of two new boats delivered directly to the regatta, won the Dragon Worlds conducted by Royal Brighton Yacht Club. Olympic Medallist, Lawrie Smith, who has not been sailing since his Volvo Ocean Race campaign in 1999, sailed with the boat’s builder Tim Tavinor and Ossie Stewart. www.dragonworlds2011.com.au

Due to the flood tragedy in Queensland’s south east and persistent extreme weather, Southport Yacht Club decided to abandon Marinonics Sail Paradise 2011. www.sailparadise.com.au

OFF THE BEACH

Nathan Outteridge won the 2011 Zhik Moth World Championships on his home waters of Lake Macquarie. He dropped a sixth place for a total of 23 points in the series. He also won the 49er and the Moth national titles on Lake Macquarie this summer. www.mothworlds.org/belmont

Chris Charlwood is the 2011 Optimist National Open Fleet Champion, leading defending champion, fellow Western Australian, Nia Jerwood by one point after another frustrating and fickle day on Pittwater that saw just one race completed in the Open fleet. www.rpayc.com.au

AUSTRALIA DAY REGATTA

The 175th Australia Day Regatta, the world’s oldest continuously conducted annual sailing Regatta, will take place throughout the afternoon of 26 January, with events for all classes of yachts and 18ft skiffs, conducted by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on behalf of the Australia Day Regatta Inc. Traditional and Classic Yachts from around the nation will take part in this historic event. Among them will be the Ranger class of gaff rigged boats and historical skiffs. www.australiaday.com.au

18 FOOTERS

Defending champion Seve Jarvin and his Gotta Love It 7 crew of Sam Newton and Scott Babbage came back strongly after a disastrous first race to take out the second race of the Australian 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour. Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, skippered by John Harris (replacing the injured regular skipper Michael Coxon) and crewed by Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas, finished second and holds the overall lead. www.18footers.com.au

AROUND THE WORLD

Solo sailor Brad Van Liew finished first in the Velux 5 Ocean’s leg from Cape Town, South Africa to Wellington, New Zealand. The Polish skipper Gutek arrived less than 24 hours later. www.velux5oceans.com

In the third week of racing in the Barcelona World Race, the current race leader, Estrella Damm co-skippered by Alex Pella and Pepe Ribes, is in the southern Atlantic sailing a relatively direct route towards the first of seven waypoints. However, the track is affected by no fewer than two high-pressure systems and two low-pressure systems, all exerting various influences on them. www.barcelonaworldrace.com

SAFETY & RESCUE

Marine Rescue Wooli on the NSW North Coast, played a critical role in the search for a missing yachtsman reported lost overboard by his partner from their stricken yacht in horrendous conditions. The Police launch Fearless from Coffs Harbour was tasked to the area to assist the yacht Del Segno. The missing yachtsman’s partner had little knowledge of the workings of the vessel and its equipment and the Marine Rescue Wooli radio operator patiently led her through a number of important tasks. Full story at www.marinerescuensw.com.au

Boaters are warned not to head out into waterways affected by floods as debris in the water is hazardous and navigation markers may be missing. Boating activity should only be undertaken on flood affected waterways in emergency situations. www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

QUEENSLAND’S FLOODS

The flooding throughout Queensland has caused significant damage to recreational boating infrastructure and businesses. Marine Queensland, in these circumstances, is often the first point of call by government agencies seeking information on the extent of damage -- particularly within the context of disaster relief and rebuilding. Members are asked to advise the extent of damage to their businesses as a direct result of this disaster. This information will be compiled and used in all liaison with relevant agencies both in the short and long term.

For all enquires concerning recreational marine vessels including missing boats/pontoons, damaged boats and boat storage requirements or small business assistance please contact Marine Queensland on 07 3390 4657. www.qldmarine.com.au

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Jan 20-26 -- Audi Victoria Week is the largest sailing regatta in Australia with over 450 yachts racing in various classes. Plenty of shoreside activities are available for friends and family who are not competing. www.victoriaweek.com

Jan 26 -- Australia Day. Events on Sydney Harbour include a Ferrython, Awesome Forces displays, best-dressed vessels competition, tall ships race, 174th Australia Day Regatta, Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water Concert. For details see www.australiaday.com.au

Feb 4-6 -- Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Festival, Docklands. www.miblf.com.au

Feb 11-14 -- Australian Wooden boat Festival, Hobart. www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au

Feb 16-Mar 20 -- Van Dieman’s Land Circumnavigation Cruise. www.ryct.org.au

Feb 19 -- The Wooden Boat Rally will be held on the Tamar River at the Seaport Marina in Launceston, Tasmania. www.woodenboatrally.com

Feb 24-27 -- Variety Splash - a three-day rally on Port Phillip open to all sail and power boats, commencing at Waterfront City, Docklands, with as evening ‘Welcome’ function. www.varietysplash.org.au

Feb 25-Mar 4 -- Geographe Bay Race Week held at in Busselton is the largest yachting regatta in Western Australia. www.gbyc.com.au

Feb 26-27 -- South Australian Wooden Boat Festival at the historic River Port of Goolwa. www.woodenboatfestival.com.au/

Mar 3-13 -- JJ Giltinan International Championship, Sydney Harbour, sometimes referred to as the 18 Footer Worlds. www.18footers.com.au

Mar 5-6 -- Rosehill Trailerboat Show, Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney www.bia.org.au

Mar 5-6 -- Audi Sydney Regatta, Middle Harbour Yacht Club www.sydneyharbourregatta.com.au

Mar 6 -- Clean Up Australia Day www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Photograph: Triad crew (L to R) Grant Simmer, Andrew Palfrey and John Bertrand win the 2011 Rex Gorell Prestige Etchells Australian Championship – courtesy of

www.etchells.org.au

Weekly Sailing Summary

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