Bertrand Blows Unbeatable Lead
Australian Etchells Winter Championship
Mooloolaba YC
Cameron APPLETON (NZL), relief helmsman for Dean BARKER in the 2003 Americas cup, along with Peter MERRINGTON and Paul GUDMUNSON sailed an excellent race of the Saint Malo Etchells Australian Winter Championship off Mooloolaba today.
In 15-18 knot winds, Appleton rounded the first mark in Sixth place, and John Bertrand, Mark Richards and Richie Allenson were in 42nd place. Appleton improved to third and then second place, Bertrand improved to 37th then 24th with the final beat to the finish.
With Bertrand in 24 place, and Appleton in second, they were on equal total points. Bertrand only had to improve two or three places to secure the Regatta. Bertrand slipped to 30 on the final beat and ended the Regatta in third place overall. Race Eight winner was Cameron Pines, with Phil Smidmore and Terry Wetton crewing. Cameron was taken to hospital during Race Four, and missed race Five, but recovered well enough to finish with sixth, seventh, and first, but with a DNF and DNS Miles was eventually 14 overall. Second in race Eight was Cameron Appleton and third was Glenn Tucker from Perth with Dick Machin and Adrian Finglas as crew. A very exciting final race to the Regatta, with the overall winner not known till the 24 boat crossed the finish line.
Overall Top Ten
1 Cameron Appleton, Peter Merrington and Paul Gudmunson,
2 Noel Drennan, Grant Warrington and Graeme Taylor.
3 John Bertrand, Mark Richards, Richie Allanson
4 Glenn Tucker, Dick Machin, Adrian Finglas
5 Mark Bradford, Mike O'Brien, Gary Adshead
6 Peter McNeil, Richard West, Warwick Bagnal
7 Chris Jackson, Peter Danks, David Eichmeyer
8 Brian Jones, Rob Bassett, Peter Bassett
9 Ian Johnson, Gary Smith, Tim Ede
10 David Torton, Andy Torton Darryl "Razzle" Spicer
Event Media (As Amended by ISAF News Editor)