James Mayo (1999) and Richard Allanson (2019) have previously won the Etchells World Championships, but this is the first time in 20 years that Graeme Taylor can claim the honour. Sailing AUS1486 Magpie, the trio were ecstatic when they crossed the finish line of the final race.
“I’m just so happy!” said an excited Taylor, the result having not yet sunk in, as he sat on the media boat shaking his head.
“I’ve been sailing with James Mayo and Richie Allanson for a long time now, and really, the whole project has been to leave no stone unturned.”
“Both the boys have just put their absolute all into it. The boat and sails are immaculate, and we have everything you could possibly ask for, so we’re very lucky and fortunate.”
“I thank James for how good the boat is, and Richie is the ultimate workhorse; he just works his absolute butt off to get the job done.”
“During these events, you learn a lot about each other and how we’re all different, and that’s been an interesting journey as well. But I love both the guys, and to win the World Championship here in Australia, there’s nothing better. I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Taylor was on board andoo Comanche when they had the line honours win ripped away from them in the final moments of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race after LawConnect rolled them at the finish, so this win brings something extra special for him.
“After losing the Hobart race on Comanche by 30-odd seconds, that was pretty tough. The first thing we said when we went across the line down there (in Hobart) is let’s not lose the Etchells Worlds and make it a double whammy,” laughed Taylor, with the realisation that he had pulled off a World Championship win finally becoming a reality.
“We’ll savour it and party long into the night and enjoy it. It’s not every day you win a World Championship and I’ve finally done it. I’ve won! We’ve won!!!”
“I’ve had three seconds, a third, and every other place between ten and twenty, and I’ve been sailing these boats for 20 years. It’s not an easy event to win, and to finally win one, well, I’m just over the moon.”
But it didn’t come easy for them. They were deep up the first work, and it was AUS1518 Flying Higher, Jeanne-Claude Strong, Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton, and Max Jameson who claimed the Race 9 win. They led the from start to finish in a building southerly.
They owned the race and stayed clean while others struggled to maintain the peak. It was a well-deserved race win for the team.
Race 9
- AUS – Jeanne-Claude Strong, Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton, and Max Jameson
- USA – Andy Beadsworth, Brian Ledbetter, and Ben Lamb
- AUS – Mark Roberts, Jake Newman, and Charlie Wyatt
USA1494 AMac, Andy Beadsworth, Brian Ledbetter, and Ben Lamb had a fantastic final race of the championship, finishing second, which then placed them second overall, 10 points clear of Magpie.
Rounding out the podium to take third place in the world championship were Graham Vials, Billy Russell, and Andrew Lawson from Great Britain sailing No Dramas, who had a fantastic regatta, also taking out the Corinthian division.
After the race, Vials talked about their Corinthian division win.
“It’s really good. I mean, we did the Cowes Worlds a couple of years back and came fifth and first Corinthians, so we came here with an objective to try and improve upon that score.”
“To go into the last race today with a chance of winning was really good and to finish third overall and first Corinthians is a really good result, so we’re super stoked.”
“It’s a good outcome. It’s fantastic to be here in Fremantle again. Great conditions, lovely weather, good wind, and a really close race in the Etchells class, so we’ve got no complaints at all.”
“I think for anyone who’s thinking about the Etchells and wants that challenge to race against the best sailors in the world, it’s a perfect opportunity,” said Vials.
That wraps up the 2024 Etchells World Championship in Fremantle. The event was a collaboration between three major clubs.
- Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club – Organising Authority
- Fremantle Sailing Club – Host Venue
- Royal Perth Yacht Club – Supporting Club
Each club provided volunteers and resources to create this event, which is a great showcase of clubs working together for the greater good of sailing.
Top 5 Overall
- AUS – Graeme Taylor, James Mayo, and Richard Allanson – 40pts
- USA – Andy Beadsworth, Brian Ledbetter, and Ben Lamb – 50pts
- GBR – Graham Vials, Billy Russell, and Andrew Lawson – 55pts
- GBR – Lawrie Smith, Richard Parslow, Ruairidh Scott, and Dave Hughes – 72pts
- AUS – Michael Manford, Dean McAullay, and Nicholas Gray – 73pts
Top 5 Corinthians
- GBR – Graham Vials, Billy Russell, and Andrew Lawson – 55pts
- AUS – Michael Manford, Dean McAullay, and Nicholas Gray – 73pts
- HKG – Jamie McWilliam-Peter Austin / Jim Bittl – 132pts
- USA – Andy Beadsworth, Brian Ledbetter, and Ben Lamb – 148pts
- AUS – Chris Pratt, Ethan McAullay, Michael McAullay – 149pts
Event media at this regatta is made possible thanks to the support from HillPDA Consulting. Down Under Sail (based in Adelaide, Australia) and Live Sail Die (based in Auckland, New Zealand) collaborated on this event to provide all the media. Daily photography, videos, stories and press releases meant the spectators watching at home kept up with every moment.
