10 countries, more than 80 boats to vie for international sailing prowess/b>
One of the year’s premiere sailing events casts off soon from the docks of the San Diego Yacht Club in Point Loma. The Etchells World Championship event, which runs from June 2 through June 11, will bring together more than 80 boats, with entrants from 10 countries around the world. As a precursor to the championship, the 2011 Sailing Supply Orca Bowl and Pre-Worlds Regatta also takes place May 21 and 22, to be sailed off the Coronado Roads on the Pacific Ocean. Looking ahead to the championship event, there are some big local names competing. Perhaps best known is former America’s Cup-winning skipper Dennis Conner, who is also a two-time Etchells-class world champion in 1991 and 1994. “This event brings together some of the best sailors in the world,” said Bill Pascoe, fleet captain of host San Diego Fleet 13. “Besides offering several former America’s Cup skippers and crew, this event allows amateurs the chance to sail against them.” “When you sail in this event, you walk down the dock knowing ‘today I have a shot to beat the very best,’” Pascoe said. “[Afterward, you might realize] I finished ahead of 70 boats. That’s a remarkable feeling.” One of the most motivated groups will be a contingent of 14 Etchells crews from Australia, who will try to take the championship trophy home to display until the 2012 Worlds are held next year in Sydney. Pascoe is relying on fellow local Etchells sailors, a group characterized by its “camaraderie and fierce competition,” to help stage an event of this magnitude. Event chairperson Chuck Driscoll is overseeing a small army of fellow sailors managing issues like marketing, sponsorships, race committee, measurements, social activities, merchandising and other matters. Some international competitors would not be able to sail in San Diego because of the costs of transporting their boats across oceans. However, Etchells-class rules specify the host fleet must make available a pool of loaner boats for such purposes and local sailors have stepped forward to fulfill the needs. This being the case, entrants are coming from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Canada, Italy, Greece, Bermuda and the United Arab Emirates. Reportedly, some crews have already arrived to acquaint themselves with local winds and Coronado Roads, where the races are to be held. The Etchells class was begun in 1968 when the first boat was built by Skip Etchells as a possible Olympics candidate. Today, more than 1,500 Etchells traverse the water. The boats are 30 feet in length with 22 feet at the waterline. They weigh just over 3,300 pounds and are designed for a crew of three to four. Among the notable entrants in this event are two-time world champions John Savage (1979 and 1988), Stuart Childerly (2001 and 2002) and world champions Bill Hardesty (2008), Jud Smith (2006), Vince Brun (2000) and Etchells builder Dirk Kneulman (1998). Other well-known participants include Dave Ullman, holder of numerous world, national and regional championships, including the 470 Worlds; 2010 North American champion Bruce Golison; 2009 North American champion Marvin Beckmann; Chris Busch (second in 2008) and Melges 24 world champion Philippe Kahn” “The friendships that are established over the oceans between people is part of what makes this class so great,” Pascoe said. “The boat-loaning program makes it possible for people to come from so far away to compete on such a very high level year in and year out.” For more information, visit www.-etchellsworlds2011.com.