Bertrand on Top of the World at the Etchells Worlds at Cowes
by Louay Habib 11 Sep 2016 21:41 BST
5-10 September 2016
"It's been a roller coaster ride." said Bertrand winning his second Etchells Worlds at 69 years of age. "This is a team that was only put together for the worlds and it is so nice to gel together and get better and better. Tom Slingsby was on the bow when I won in 2010, this year, we have Ben Lamb, who grew up with Tom, and he has been incredible this week. Paul (Blowers) knows these waters so well. Winning the worlds is fantastic because of the people who compete, there are sailors from all over the world and from every aspect of the sport. Thanks should go to the organisers and supporters of the Etchells Worlds, especially David Franks who should be running every world championship. They have produced a fantastic, well run and very enjoyable event."
Runner up at the Etchells Worlds for the second year in a row, was Steve Benjamin (USA), representing the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, with a crew of Michael Menninger, Ian Liberty and George Peet (all USA). "The best team won, you can't say fairer than that." said Benjamin. "I love coming to Cowes, it is one of my favourite places to sail anywhere in the world and this week, we have had a real mix of conditions, well done to John and his team, they deserve it."
Full results at www.2016.etchellsworlds.org