Victorian Etchells Championship

The twelve competitors were blessed with ideal conditions over the two days of this event, which was held in Victoria Harbour, Melbourne Docklands over the 24th and 25th February.

Chris Jackson, sailing with Dave Eickmeyer and James Maskiell, defeated Australian Olympian, Melanie Dennison in the final and became the inaugural Etchells Victorian Match Racing Champion . Dennison had put together an excellent regatta to make the final. This was her first foray into the Etchells class and only her third match racing event. She joined by her Yngling crew (Kristen Kosmala and Fiona Herbet,campaigning for Athens), as well as another Olympian from the Soling class, David Edwards.

Both Jackson and Dennison progressed to the final after defeating their more favoured opponents John Bertrand and Andrew Hunn in the semi finals. Both semis were decided in controversial circumstances, as Bertrand and Hunn failed to pick up a course change and gave away favourable positions.

Bertrand then defeated Hunn in the play-off for third place. Hunn had topped the table at the end of the twelve boat round-robin.