International Etchells South Coast Championship at the Royal London Yacht Club

Etchells South Coast Championship winners © Jan Ford

Etchells South Coast Championship Corinthian and Youth winners © Jan Ford

This weekend saw the Etchells South Coast Championship and world qualifier take place in the Solent organised by the Royal London Yacht Club under PRO Peter Taylor.

Day one of racing was slow to start with four general recalls before racing finally got under way for the twenty Etchells in the fleet.

The race committee worked hard to deliver three great races in continuously changing conditions.

After three races, 'Mila', Lawrie Smith was leading the pack followed by 'Louise Racing', Grant Gordon, and 'Tango', Chris Hampton in third.

The Corinthian fleet was lead by 'Swedish Blue', Ante Razmilovic, followed by 'Ziggy', Rhys Lewis and 'Shamal', Anthony Parke.

Points were close so it was all to play for on the second day.

Day two, saw three more races completed with some very shifty up winds making racing very challenging.

After the first race, the black flag was brought out and three boats were unfortunately disqualified.

After some very close races the final results were, 'Mila', first overall sailed by Lawrie Smith, Richard Parslow, Gonçalo Riberio and Ben Saxton.

First youth and Corinthian went to 'Ziggy' sailed by Rhys Lewis, Joe Bradley, Mike O'Donovan and Olly Dawson-McGill.

Big thank you to the Royal London Yacht Club for running a great event, the next event is the Saida Cup with the Royal Thames Yacht Club which is the final world qualifiers on the 2nd and 3rd of July.

The World Championship takes place in Cowes 18th - 24th September.

Overall Results: