
Class Newsletter October 2024
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This newsletter covers a lot of ground so do have a look. In this edition:
- The new IECAA Executive as confirmed in at the August AGM.
- The new membership year and election for International Governors
- Regattas around the country
- The Melbourne Worlds
- On board electronics
- Upcoming Fleet strategy sessions
New IECAA Executive
At the August AGM we thanked Martin Hill AM for his leadership through a difficult time for the Etchells Class, as well as Ray Smith for his role with the IECAA and IGC over several years.
Meet the new Executive:
- President – Jan Muysken
- Vice President – Michael Bellingham
- Treasurer – Chris Manton
- Secretary – Niesje Hees
- Assistant Secretary – Dirk van der Struyf
Some Fleet Captains have also changed – see the list of fleets for all contacts.
Renewing your membership is especially important this year
The membership portal is available to renew your membership. Please do so now so that you can vote in the IECA election for IGC governors. The election will be at the beginning of November, and you only get a vote if you are a paid-up owner. It is important that Australia is well represented on the IGC.
Australian Nominees for Governor
The IECAA has submitted the following nominees for Governor. Those members eligible to vote will receive a ballot listing all nominees and their profiles in early November.
Jan Muysken
Michael Bellingham
Chris Manton
Dirk van der Struyf
Jeanne-Claude Strong
Regattas – Recent & Upcoming
Keep an eye on the Australian Etchells website and International Etchells website for the latest news an calendar of events.

The past weekend was the Queensland State titles. Too much wind the first day but four great races the second day.

The NSW States is 11 - 13 October. Racing on Sydney Harbour at RSYS.

On the other side of the country is Sail Fremantle on 26, 27 October.

Summer of Etchells at Royal Brighton Yacht Club

This includes the Christmas Cup (13 – 15 December 2024), Pre-Worlds (3 – 6 January 2025) and Worlds (racing 10 – 14 January 2025). The Melbourne Worlds website includes information about all these regattas.
Direct link for the Christmas regatta online entry.
Direct link for the Pre-Worlds and Worlds online entry.
We are grateful to HillPDA for their sponsorship of media coverage by Nic Douglass. See the articles from Nic on our website, facebook page and in SailWorld.
Onboard Electronics
This week the IGC also provided approval for the technology to be used in the Worlds, subject to World Sailing approval. It was noted that at the recent J70 Worlds with 96 boats racing, Vakaros RaceSense was used very successfully. There were no general recalls with all 8 races started under P Flag, suggesting the technology has arrived to enable much better racing.
The IGC and Worlds Sailing initially approved the use of electronics with certain functionality through December 31, 2024. Here is the full resolution, explaining the benefits to competitors and race management teams.
The NSW State titles will be making use of the Vakaros Racesense system, and several fleets and competitors are in the process of buying units. The NSW States will be a terrific opportunity to educate more race management volunteers on how the system works. More on all this very soon.
Upcoming Fleet Strategy Sessions
Both the IECA and IECAA are committed to developing a Fleet Strategy to maintain a healthy class into the future. Strategy workshops will be held ahead of the NSW States, the Nationals and the Worlds. Outcomes will be reported back to members.
Regatta Calendar
-
11 – 13 October 2024
NSW State Championship
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron -
26 – 27 October 2024
Sail Freo
Regatta website -
1 – 5 November 2024
Australian Championship
Regatta website -
23 – 24 November 2024
Syd Corser Regatta
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club -
13 – 15 December 2024
Christmas Cup
Regatta website -
6 – 14 January 2025
2025 World Championship
Regatta website -
1 – 3 March 2025
WA State Championship
Royal Perth Yacht Club -
8 – 10 March 2025
VIC State Championship
Royal Geelong Yacht Club -
25 – 28 April 2025
Etchells Corinthian Cup
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron - FULL CALENDAR