Bertrand and Co close to unstoppable say Etchells rivals

by Rob Kothe on 16 Jan 2010
Its 27 years since Australia II skipper John Bertrand won the America's Cup but he still knows how to assemble a champion team.

Yesterday John Bertrand, dual Laser World Champion Tom Slingsby and Star Class Olympian and world class coach Andrew Palfrey convincingly won the Murphy & Nye 2010 Australian Etchells Championship with a race to spare, signaling that Betrand and Co are likely to be the team to beat in the 2010 Etchells World Championship in Dublin Ireland.

Dockside Graeme Taylor (Magpie) who finished third on the podium commented 'In this regatta Bertrand, Slingsby and Palfrey were close to unstoppable; definitely a better combination than in Melbourne. (Britain's triple Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie was calling tactics there, Tom Slingsby here).

'To get two firsts yesterday in very light and shifty conditions, you had to be close to God.'

A similar comment to that made by Taylor, from Damien King (Barry) who beat Bertrand and team in the 2009 Etchells World Championship in Melbourne finishing second overall.

'John Bertrand, Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey were overall in another league. We think John’s combination is better now with Tom as tactician rather than Ben Ainslie - they will be a real threat at the Worlds in Ireland.’

Andrew Palfrey, part of John Bertrand's winning Triad combination commented ‘Tom (Slingsby) taught us a lot about succeeding in light puffy conditions this regatta.

'We still have decisions to make about sails before the Dublin Worlds. Here we’ve been sailing in one corner of the playing field, in very flat water. The kind of chop we could get in Ireland is much more akin to sailing in Melbourne.’

Today the battle for the minor podium places was on in earnest in Race 9, the last race of the Murphy & Nye 2010 Australian Etchells Championship, being sailed from the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club on Lake Macquarie, NSW.

After race eight, Graeme Taylor (Magpie) with crew Grant Wharington and Steve 'Mothy' Jarvin were three points adrift of Damien King (Barry), Simon Cunnington, Andy Butler and James Ware, who were holding down second place in the Championship.

For Race 9, PRO Ross Wilson set the course at 095, with legs approximately 1.5 nautical miles in length. The sun was shining and the start line was over on the Coal Point shoreline.

Graeme Taylor (GT) positioned Magpie a third of the way down the line from the Committee Boat and got badly boxed in at the start. By contrast his main rival for second place, Damien King (Barry) got a good start and led the left hand side of the fleet away.

The winners of the first leg came from the middle of the course and at the top mark for the first time it was Mark Langford on Critical Balance who rounded ahead of Mark Thornburrow (Dream On (Racer x)), Ian Johnston (Bananas in Pyjamas) and Tom Braidwood (Fantazia). Then came Jake Gunther (The Boat), Kirwan Robb (Pedro 11) and Damien King (Barry) who had dropped back through the fleet, then Jervis Tilley (Bushfire) and Julian Plante (North Star), John Bertrand (Triad) was around 15th, while Taylor (Magpie) was buried and very deep.

As the Etchells came down to the bottom mark for the first time, spinnakers flying, the breeze was holding at seven-eight knots.

At the bottom mark the first five places were unchanged. Tilley (Bushfire) had moved up two places while Plante (North Star) had moved from 13th up to eighth. Bertrand (Triad) moved from 15th to ninth.

Taylor (Magpie) coming up the beat for the second time went hard right crossing the fleet and made a huge gain. The leaders were coming up on the right hand shore. Taylor’s rival Damien King (Barry) was back in 11th.

The manoeuvre paid for GT; he made up around 20 places. At the top mark for the second time Langford was still leading from Braidwood, who had moved from fourth to second. Thornburrow was third, Johnston fourth, Tilley fifth and Gunther sixth.

Damien King was seventh and just ahead of Graeme Taylor, who was not about to let his rival slip away. Plante and Brendan Garner (The Moe Szyslak Experience) completed the top ten.

Mark Langford (Critical Balance) led all the way to win Race 9 of the series. Mark Thornburrow (Dream on (Racer x)) finished second, ahead of Ian Jonhston (Bananas in Pyjamas), Tom Braidwood (Fantazia), Jervis Tilley (Bushfire), Julian Plante (North Star), Jake Gunther (The Boat) and Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7).

Graeme Taylor just edged out rival Damien King (Barry) but it was not enough. King secured second place in the Championship, with Taylor finishing third.

Graeme Taylor commented 'We had a shocker up the first beat around 40th, so we decided to go right and there was good pressure and that brought us back into the competition. We are just happy to be able to mix it up with the fleet. We will keep batting.'

Series Results [One Design ET] up to Race 9 (Drops = 1)

Place	Sail No	Boat Name	From	Skipper	Sers Score	Race 9	Race 8	Race 7	Race 6	Race 5	Race 4	Race 3	Race 2	Race 1
1	AUS1383	Triad	RBYC	John Bertrand	22.0	[59.0F]	1.0	1.0	2.0	7.0	1.0	2.0	5.0	3.0
2	AUS924	Barry	SYC	Damien King	53.0	10.0	9.0	6.0	9.0	6.0	3.0	5.0	[21.0]	5.0
3	AUS947	Magpie	MYC	Graeme Taylor	55.0	9.0	14.0	[27.0]	3.0	2.0	4.0	4.0	13.0	6.0
4	AUS1318	Banana's in Pyjama's	RBYC	Ian Johnston	61.0	3.0	[28.0]	2.0	14.0	5.0	8.0	8.0	14.0	7.0
5	AUS1374	Steam Packet 7	RPAYC	Adam Beashel	62.0	8.0	19.0	[40.0]	1.0	1.0	2.0	1.0	20.0	10.0
6	AUS940	North Star	RPAYC	Julian Plante	71.0	6.0	24.0	4.0	4.0	9.0	[27.0]	16.0	4.0	4.0
7	AUS925	Iron Lotus	RSYS	Tom King	75.0	[32.0]	3.0	3.0	11.0	8.0	12.0	17.0	12.0	9.0
8	AUS867	Fantazia	LMYC	Tom Braidwood	76.0	4.0	4.0	[23.0]	7.0	11.0	18.0	9.0	10.0	13.0
9	AUS1387	Perfect Balance	RBYC	Mark Bulka	93.0	29.0	10.0	10.0	6.0	14.0	15.0	[30.0]	1.0	8.0
10	AUS1084	Why be flat	LMYC	Kane Sinclair	103.0	[30.0]	25.0	11.0	12.0	3.0	11.0	10.0	6.0	25.0
11	AUS1164	B Squared	LMYC	Gary Boyd	110.0	38.0	18.0	[38.0]	20.0	10.0	6.0	14.0	3.0	1.0
12	AUS832	Absolute Pearler	LMYC	Peter McNeil	117.0	[40.0]	11.0	30.0	28.0G	15.0	5.0	3.0	2.0	23.0
13	AUS1366	Pedro II	RBYC	Kirwan Robb	122.0	19.0	13.0	12.0	16.0	13.0	10.0	[26.0]	22.0	17.0
14	AUS866	Tusk	RPYC	Brad Sheridan	126.0	18.0	27.0	14.0	10.0	[31.0]	21.0	7.0	8.0	21.0
15	AUS1223	Tango	RBYC	Chris Hampton	128.0	15.0	[41.0]	37.0	8.0	19.0	17.0	11.0	9.0	12.0
16	AUS1338	Critical Balance	LMYC	Mark Langford	129.0	1.0	12.0	18.0	27.0	23.0	13.0	24.0	[29.0]	11.0
17	AUS1250	Bushfire	RSYS	Jervis Tilly	134.0	5.0	15.0	[28.0]	13.0	26.0	22.0	20.0	17.0	16.0
18	AUS1131	The Moe Szyslak Expe	RGYC	Brendan Gardner	137.0	11.0	23.0	7.0	[35.0]	4.0	28.0	15.0	27.0	22.0
19	AUS991	The Boat	RBYC	Jake Gunther	147.0	7.0	8.0	41.0	15.0	16.0	9.0	12.0	[44.0]	39.0
20	AUS1192	Echo Beach	LMYC	Tom Woods	155.0	[59.0F]	35.0	8.0	19.0	20.0	14.0	13.0	19.0	27.0
21	NZL1314	Addiction	GH	Lindsay Kennedy	159.0	[35.0]	2.0	19.0	22.0	28.0	25.0	22.0	11.0	30.0
22	HKG1269	Dream On (Racer x)	RHKYC	Mark Thornborough	160.0	2.0	[37.0]	25.0	31.0	18.0	7.0	29.0	24.0	24.0
23	AUS750	Seven 50	LMYC	Todd Wyborn	168.0	17.0	36.0	9.0	[43.0]	17.0	31.0	6.0	37.0	15.0
24	AUS1165	Wobbegong	CYCA	Doug Flynn	181.0	22.0	6.0	16.0	21.0	33.0	23.0	40.0	[49.0]	20.0
25	AUS1254	Odyssey	RPAYC	Peter (Billy) Merrin	182.0	24.0	29.0	21.0	5.0	[35.0]	20.0	18.0	32.0	33.0
26	AUS1270	La Vie Dansante	RSAYS	Chris Pratt	183.0	21.0	5.0	33.0	25.0	[59.0F]	30.0	25.0	30.0	14.0
27	AUS1274	The Nurse	SYC	Ross Lloyd	186.0	13.0	[46.0]	20.0	42.0	12.0	44.0	19.0	18.0	18.0
28	AUS1288	Magic Buzz	RBYC	Steve Gunther	188.0	25.0	31.0	29.0	[33.0]	27.0	19.0	23.0	15.0	19.0
29	AUS1290	Ganesh	RSYS	Glenn Nattress	208.0	37.0	7.0	17.0	32.0	37.0	34.0	[50.0]	16.0	28.0
30	AUS1082	Alchemist	RSYS	Richard Hammond	222.0	39.0	21.0	13.0	[44.0]	40.0	26.0	31.0	23.0	29.0
31	AUS1253	Miramar	RPAYC	Mark Doyle	226.0	33.0	17.0	22.0	23.0	36.0	29.0	32.0	[55.0]	34.0
32	AUS994	Cruise Control	CSC	Paul Minter	237.0	[43.0]	20.0	34.0	28.0	25.0	33.0	37.0	34.0	26.0
33	AUS748	Ivy	GSC	John Denton	238.0	14.0	22.0	51.0	30.0	42.0	16.0	[52.0]	31.0	32.0
34	AUS872	Count Boris's Secret	RBYC	Nick Knezic	254.0	34.0	33.0	15.0	36.0	21.0	35.0	45.0	[47.0]	35.0
35	AUS1380	Two Speed	RSYS	Nigel Nattrass	255.0	16.0	[47.0]	43.0	18.0	39.0	38.0	27.0	43.0	31.0
36	AUS1049	Vertigo	LMYC	Doug Williams	264.0	28.0	[52.0]	39.0	29.0	22.0	43.0	36.0	25.0	42.0
37	AUS1213	Dutch Moth	LMYC	Aaron Hampo	268.5	20.0	49.0	[54.0]	26.0	30.0	37.0	28.0	38.0	40.5
38	AUS1186	Touch Pause Engage	RSYS	Michael Stovin-Bradf	270.0	12.0	44.0	[45.0]	17.0	38.0	39.0	43.0	40.0	37.0
39	AUS1150	Dragon Lady	RPYC	Bill Steele	272.0	41.0	42.0	5.0	41.0	48.0	32.0	35.0	28.0	[56.0]
40	AUS1367	Chill Pill	RFBYC	Rob Bird	279.0	59.0C	59.0C	59.0C	[59.0Q]	29.0	24.0	21.0	26.0	2.0
41	AUS1144	Rapscallion	RQYS	David Healey	285.0	31.0	34.0	35.0	37.0	32.0	[50.0]	44.0	36.0	36.0
42	AUS1219	Carabella IV	RSYS	Matthew Mc Cann	297.5	[59.0F]	32.0	47.0	45.0	47.0	40.0	39.0	7.0	40.5
43	AUS1052	Resurgent	LMYC	Christopher Rabbidge	314.0	27.0	[55.0]	36.0	38.0	41.0	42.0	42.0	39.0	49.0
44	AUS813	Tian Hou	MYC	Simon Ellis	316.0	26.0	16.0	31.0	46.0	59.0F	55.0	48.0	35.0	[59.0Q]
45	AUS1385	Concubine	RSAYS	Jason Ward	326.0	51.0	50.0	[56.0]	40.0	24.0	36.0	41.0	33.0	51.0
46	AUS1336	Go With The flow	LMYC	Robert Griffits	333.0	23.0	43.0	24.0	[59.0R]	46.0	41.0	57.0	52.0	47.0
47	AUS852	Three Ring Circus	MYC	Trevor Martin	333.0	46.0	40.0	46.0	34.0	34.0	[59.0Q]	34.0	54.0	45.0
48	AUS1386	Jazasa	RSYS	Jan Muysken	342.0	44.0	26.0	48.0	39.0	51.0	45.0	46.0	[51.0]	43.0
49	AUS1191	License To Chill	LMYC	Bryce Johnson	348.0	49.0	39.0	32.0	49.0	44.0	46.0	51.0	[53.0]	38.0
50	AUS1135	QRS	RSYS	Alistair Stone	349.0	36.0	[53.0]	26.0	50.0	49.0	47.0	47.0	48.0	46.0
51	AUS1141	Mens Shirts-Short Sk	RBYC	Peter Stubbings	354.0	47.0	45.0	42.0	51.0	45.0	[54.0]	38.0	42.0	44.0
52	AUS961	Back in Business	RBYC	John Coates	382.0	45.0	54.0	49.0	48.0	43.0	53.0	49.0	41.0	[54.0]
53	AUS1128	Surprise	RSYS	Adrian Fisk	383.0	[59.0C]	48.0	53.0	47.0	50.0	49.0	33.0	50.0	53.0
54	AUS1029	Predator	GSC	Greg Humphries	391.0	50.0	38.0	44.0	59.0C	[59.0F]	51.0	53.0	46.0	50.0
55	AUS767	Champagne Charlie	CYCA	Mike Thackray	399.0	48.0	30.0	52.0	52.0	52.0	[59.0F]	56.0	57.0	52.0
56	AUS724	7 To 4	LMYC	Bruce Cheek	408.0	42.0	56.0	50.0	53.0	53.0	52.0	54.0	[56.0]	48.0
57	AUS1019	Max Power	LMYC	Keith Ritchie	427.0	59.0C	51.0	55.0	59.0C	[59.0Q]	48.0	55.0	45.0	55.0
58	AUS1146	Mojo	LMYC	Ian Knight	472.0	59.0C	59.0C	59.0C	59.0C	59.0C	59.0C	59.0C	59.0V	[59.0V]