February 26, 2023 (Miami, FL) – In keeping with the theme of the 2022/2023 Biscayne Bay Etchells Winter Series, Mid-Winters Championships was a weekend of challenging weather among stiff competition with yet another skipper stepping onto the top of the podium. Yet it was the most consistent team of the season, who had been a bridesmaid on the podium all year, who earned the overall series trophy for the second year in a row: Jim Cunningham’s Lifted (USA 1404).
Over the course of three days, six races were completed in no more than 8 knots. Etchells veteran Marvin Beckmann and his crew on The Martian (USA1378), Tommy Dietrich, Arantxa Agribay, and Joachim Aschenbrenner consistently stayed in the lead for the entire light air regatta – a welcomed change for Beckmann, a former World Champion, who had yet to even break into the top ten all season.
The Etchells class also recognizes those teams comprised of Group 1 sailors with a Corinthian Trophy for the series. Andy Cumming’s crew, all hailing from Toronto, Ontario, on Blackadder II (CAN 1451) John Millen, Chloe Congourdeau, and Erin Sauder took home this half-model trophy.
“The commitment to Corinthian sailing by the Etchells fleet is paramount to keeping the grassroots, local-fleet sailing healthy and vibrant,” says Cumming.” This is what makes a fleet long-lasting and strong. It is an honor to sail Corinthian in this class against so many spectacular teams.”
Cumming adds: “I encourage more teams to take up the mantle of the Corinthian spirit of this sport and in this Class. I think both options (professional or corinthian) should be seen as credible and viable options for any and all Etchells sailors.”
Read more here.
Next up in the pre-Worlds series is the Coral Reef Cup and North American Championship. Register here.