Cowes Yacht Haven has been selected as the venue for the 2016 Etchells World Championship. Over 100 boats from the Etchells fleet will reside in the marina, over six days of racing (5-10 September), organised by the Royal London Yacht Club.
The announcement follows the news that the world’s leading annual solo sailing race, the Solitaire du Figaro, will come to Cowes next summer (22-26 June) as will the 2016 J/111 World Championships (1-4 August).
The Etchells fleet container will take pride of place in the marina, acting as a focal point in Cowes Yacht Haven, while fleet captain David Franks’ competition winning JPK1010 Strait Dealer will also make the journey to the Isle of Wight sailing hub and will compete in the Commodores Cup in July, also to be based in the marina.
David Franks, Etchells Cowes fleet captain, said:
We are very excited to return to Cowes Yacht Haven and have been thoroughly impressed by the welcome we have received. Having hosted the Worlds twice before, Cowes Yacht Haven is sure to put on fantastic event. The Etchells Invitational Regatta for the Gertrude Cup organised by the Royal Thames Yacht Club will also take place at Cowes Yacht Haven.
The great conditions in the Solent, the brilliant facilities and world class boat builder David Heritage Racing Yacht being based here, are all factors that attracted us back to Cowes.
Etchells is the fastest growing one-design fleet in Cowes and is demanding of its crew members, encouraging rapid learning and improvement. The fleet is renowned for being competitive but friendly and has been a training ground for talented young sailors.
Last year Etchells produced the winners of the World Women’s Student Match Racing Championships following on from the young Etchells sailors winning the European and UK Championships. Bleddyn Mon, part of the Etchells Youth Academy, has progressed from the fleet to Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup Team. Several others have raced in the past three years in the Etchells World Championships in Italy, Newport Rhode Island and Hong Kong.
Cowes Yacht Haven will be the regatta centre for the 300 strong Etchells team and race officials using the event centre and other facilities. Over 60 Etchells are expected from up to 11 countries. Several former Etchells World Champions are due to compete including John Bertrand, Andy Beadsworth, Jud Smith, Marvin Beckman and the current champions Jon McClean and Skip Diebold.
Jon Pridham, managing director of Cowes Yacht Haven, said:
Cowes Yacht Haven is thrilled to have been chosen to host the 2016 Etchells Worlds. The event will remind the sailing world of the outstanding facilities our marina has to offer, coupled with the excellent course opportunities in the Solent. We look forward to welcoming the fleet as well as thousands of spectators to the island in September.
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