With seven confirmed entries, this weekend’s Doyle Sails State Etchells Championship, hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, is certain to showcase some very close racing.
A moderate breeze is forecast for both days of the event, which will no doubt create a tactical battle on all parts of the racecourse.
The two-day series will see former state champions Mark Roberts and crew going in as the hot favourite in their brand spanking new boat, Fumanchu, taking on Tim Cowen’s salvage yard wreckage-turned-showboat, Pickles.
David Royle’s ‘Another One’ will be in the mix this weekend.
Cowen has dragged in Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia commodore and state yachting legend Geoff Boettcher in for the weekend, which will no doubt make them a dark horse for the title.
Two time Sydney-Hobart winning crew member and former Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron commodore Caillin Howard has Stretch racing for the first time in two years and has also been spotted doing some evening training.
Wayne Knill is another former state champion among the fleet and will be looking to slide into a podium finish.
While this is the state championship for the Etchells, it also acts as a qualifier for the upcoming world championships in Brisbane in October next year, so there’s plenty on the line.
Racing begins at 11am today, follow all the live coverage via the Down Under Sail Facebook page.
