News - 13/09/16

“I love coming to Cowes, it is one of my favourite places to sail anywhere in the world…” (Steve Benjamin) 

The 2016 Etchells World Championship, which was hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club in Cowes from 5th-10th September, was won overall by Australian John Bertrand, representing the Royal Brighton YC, with a crew of British sailor Paul Blowers and Ben Lamb (AUS). 

“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” said Bertrand, winning his second Etchells Worlds at 69 years old. “This is a team that was only put together for the Worlds. Tom Slingsby was on the bow when I won in 2010; this year, we have Ben Lamb, who grew up with Tom, and he has been incredible this week. Paul (Blowers) knows these waters so well. Winning the Worlds is fantastic because of the people who compete; there are sailors from all over the world and from every aspect of the sport.”

Runner up at the Etchells Worlds for the second year in a row was Steve Benjamin from USA, representing the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, with a crew of Michael Menninger, Ian Liberty and George Peet (all USA). “The best team won, you can’t say fairer than that,” said Benjamin. “I love coming to Cowes, it is one of my favourite places to sail anywhere in the world and this week, we have had a real mix of conditions; well done to John and his team, they deserve it.”

Third was Noel Drennan (AUS), representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, with a crew of Brian Hammersley and Andrew Mills (both GBR).

Full results are available at: 2016.etchellsworlds.org

Top photo credit sportography.tv: The overall winner of the 2016 Etchells World Championship is John Bertrand (AUS).

Video by VR Sport Media.