Day one of Etchells Worlds
Two races today. A tough day for us that ended pretty well.
Light southerly wind that paid the right hand side all day. Problem was for us that we went to the left on the first beat of the two races. In the first race we won our side by a long way, but had to settle for 4th at the mark and got back to 3rd by the end.
The second race was tougher. 26th at the top mark and dug back to 11th at the end.
Coming first by a point after day one but plenty of golf left in this hole.
Guys are great. Ben did a great job in picking our way thru the fleet and John was on fire on the helm. great guys to sail with. A real privilege for me.
Etchells worlds about to kick off
Today marks the start of the 2009 Etchells Worlds.
John Bertrand, Ben Ainslie and myself have had a good build-up this week, following our 2nd placing in the pre-worlds last weekend.
We have had Victor down here for a few days putting us through a couple of training sessions, which were quite intensive, but exactly what we needed. The build-up has been pretty relaxed apart from that. We did not do the practice race yesterday, instead opting to watch the start from the coachboat and then head in to rest up for what we expect will be a taxing week.
Through the week, we have trained at the Collingwood FC gym and I have got out for a few rides. this morning i did a quick lap around Albert Park Lake, which is in prep mode for the Grand Prix. Another ride was a trip down memory lane, as I rode around the area north of melbourne where I did my welding apprenticeship. I love Melbourne. We also had lunch at the MCG one day with none other than Ron Barassi. For me this was a great privelige, having been such an AFL fan when I was a kid. Another day we had a round of golf at Royal Melbourne. I am glad JB and Ben can sail, as their golf is fairly ordinary.
Anyway, the wether today is very nice. Expecting a light to moderate sea-breeze day. Two races.
Really looking forward to sailing with John and Ben and going out to have some fun sailing.
Skiffs, Farr40’s, Etchells and general Feb update
Another big month….
Yesterday saw the culmination of a very busy three week period, in that it was the final day of two events in which teams I coach were competing. Gotta Love It 7 were sailing in the JJ Giltinan Trophy for the 18Footers and Transfusion were sailing in the Aust C’ship for the Farr40’s.
The results could not have been more contrasting. Such is life and sport. (more…)
Metung Victorian State Titles
Just had a wonderful weekend of flat-water sailing on the Gippsland Lakes with JB and Tommy Slingsby. Tight racing. Lots of fun. Rasa Bertrand and my wife Kate also joined us (no kiddies).
Some eloquent prose below by John Lethlean:
Metung Victorian State Titles
By John Lethlean

America’s Cup hero and still Australia’s most recognisable yachtsman, John Bertrand, proved he’s lost little of his touch at the helm at the weekend winning the Victorian Etchells class championship, at Metung in the state’s east.
Bertrand, fresh from winning the national title of the ultra-competitive Etchells racing class in January in his Brighton-based Triad, has firmed as Australia’s best chance for the forthcoming Etchells worlds in Melbourne this March. (more…)
Etchells Nationals and general Jan 09 update
Again, it’s been far too long since my last blog posting. I am sure even Mum and Chucky have given up on me by now.
Anyway, it’s been another great few weeks in the life of a sailor, coach and Dad. (more…)
The silly season
It’s been a while between updates. Sorry Mum (are there any other readers?).
Things are good. Main things keeping me busy are coaching work with the Seven skiff team and the Farr40 Transfusion, as well as some trips to Melbourne to sail with John in the Etchells fleet down there. (more…)
The Transfusion boys do it again
Guido Belgiorno-Nettis and his team aboard Transfusion have won the Pittwater event in the Farr40 class here in Sydney. It was a very close regatta. the boys won the final two heats in emphatic style to win by five points.
It gives the boys a very good start to the Farr40 season, as it comes on the back of their victory in the first event at Port Stephens two weeks ago. I have been working as a coach with the team for the same amount of time, so all is rosy in camp Transfusion at present. We like that! (more…)
Etchells worlds Campaign kicks off
Last Friday I travelled to Melbourne to sail with John Bertrand in his new Etchells for a couple of days. This was the start of a worlds campaign in the class. The worlds are to be held in Melb (out of Brighton) during March ‘09.
John had asked me to think about sailing with him prior to me heading to China for the Olympics, but I had to decline, as Iain was planning to compete and I was very keen to continue sailing with the Big Fella. However, soon after the games, Iain decided that spending time with family and concentrating on business was a bigger priority than launching into another campaign (nice call BF). (more…)
Farr 40 Transfusion at Port Stephens Regatta
Last weekend I joined ther Farr40 team Transfusion as coach for the first event of the Aussie Farr40 season at Port Stephens.
It was a great setting at the Peppers Anchorage resort and a wonderful way to meet and to get to know all of the team. It was the first time I had met the owner and steerer of the boat, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis. (more…)
18 foot skiff launched – Gotta Love It Seven
On Tuesday 7th October, we attended the launching of the new 18 footer Gotta Love it Seven at Jones Bay Wharf on the shores of Sydney Harbour.
It was a great night. The weather was very kind to us. David Leckie, the CEO of the Seven Network was very complimentary of the achievements of Seve, Sam and Rob over the past two years and also welcomed Tom Clout to the team, who is replacing Rob on the crew for this season. David also re-affirmed his company’s commitment to the skiffs and the sport in general. A lot of love in the room…
David then handed over to Channel Seven presenter, Kylie Gillies, who did the honors with ther champagne in very stylish fashion. The boat looked great and is a tribute to the builder, Van Munster Boats and also the crew, who have put in a huge amount of their time over the previous month to fit her out.
Some photos are posted here
Our new addition to the team, Tom Clout wrote the following as an update on the Seven Skiff campaign:
Gotta Love It Seven launches into a new season in the 18footers league
Written by Tom Clout – Team Seven
After several weeks of working long into the evenings to prepare our new skiff for the 2008/09 season, we put the new skiff in the water for the first time last Sunday. (more…)