Queensland States at RQYS
Etchells 2026-2027 QLD State Championships 24-25 Oct
This past weekend RQYS in Brisbane hosted a very successful Etchells Queensland State Championships which included five boats up from Sydney and two from Southport joining the nine RQ boats to give us a very competitive 16 boat fleet.
Unfortunately, Brisbane didn’t that those hot balmy sunny days it is known for with both days heavily overcast, showery and temps only in the mid 20’s.
Saturday’s races were in a 10-12 kt northerly with an outgoing tide that generally favoured those that went left – except when it didn’t! The racing was extremely close right across the fleet and those approaching the top mark from the left often had to give away a number of positions trying to find a spot in the procession into the mark.
With the fleet so close there were often good opportunities to make gains downwind by getting clear air or getting the inside at the bottom gate.
RQ boat NGHAM (Nothing Good Happens After Midnight) with Kane Sinclair skippering in Bradley’s absence got their series off to a good start by claiming the first bullet of the regatta followed by JC Strong on Flying High 2nd and Paul Minter on Crews Control 3rd.
Race 2 saw the first two places of race 1 reversed with Noel Patterson on Waterloo Too grabbing 3rd.
In the final race of the day, Flying High maintained their winning ways with another 1st, Jason Antill and Northern Havoc finally found some form after a slow start to be second with recent Etchells convert David Tabb on Send in the Clowns 3rd.
By this stage the rain had set in, and it was a very soggy ride home followed by beers on the boats back in the pond before adjourning to TPs BBQ area for the traditional Brisbane Etchells BBQ.
Sunday’s forecast was for more showers and a building northerly up to 18-20 by early pm. However, it was a different story out on the race course! We started in 8-10 northerly that went hard right around to the nor ‘east. It kept promising to build, it would pick up to about 15, we would either change jibs or tighten rigs only for it to drop off again – not that we were complaining – no one needs 20kts in a multi-race regatta.
Race 4 saw Northern Havoc grab their first gun of the regatta followed by Flying High with Dave Healey on Rapscallion snaffling the final podium spot.
In race 5 Northern Havoc continued their form to be 1st across the finish line from Waterloo Too who grabbed their second podium spot of the regatta and Crews Control back in 3rd.
By race 6 it was going to take a major upset for anyone to knock Flying High of their perch and so it proved with JC, Seve and Sam taking their 3rd bullet to lock away the championship for a second year in a row. Send in the Clowns was 2nd and NGHAM rounded out the regatta taking the final podium position.
It was great racing sailed in a great spirit. As always in Etchells racing, that pressure to be on the line is ever present and with the tide pushing boats cross the line the Race Officer had no hesitation in going to the U flag for the rest of the day after the first general recall of each day. This resulted in 3 boats over the regatta having to sit out a race.
Waterloo Too took the regatta title for the greatest number of penalty turns of which all 3 occurred in just one race! In some races you just have a shocker.
Congratulations to JC Strong, Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton on their victory with just 7 points.
2nd was Jason Antill, Shane Beashel and Brian Owler on Northern Havoc on 15 points.
3rd was Kane Sinclair, Scott Miller and Al Cowen on NGHAM just a further 2 points back.
A big thanks to RQYS, the race committee & volunteers for putting on great racing. Also, thanks to Sue H, Donna P, Chris N, Barry J and all the contributors for their organisational work including a great BBQ which included Chris’ famous mushroom sauce. And finally, thanks to Moreton Bay Signs and North Sails for their contributions.
We look forward to seeing everyone back for our fleet champs in March 27 and the Corinthian Cup in April 27.
Results
