Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

John Bertrand looking forward to a thrilling Etchells World Championship in January

by Etchells Worlds 2025 1 Oct 00:19 UTC 10-14 January 2025
John Bertrand will compete in the Etchells Worlds in Fremantle © Down Under Sail

Australia will welcome competitors for Etchells World Championship in January and passionate Etchells sailor and renowned Australian champion, John Bertrand shared his excitement on the upcoming event and Australia's role as host to teams from around the world.

"What an opportunity! Port Phillip Bay as a race track is one of the worlds finest. Before Olympic selections were leveraged off international regatta results, all Australian Olympic selection trials were conducted exclusively on Port Phillip Bay. There truly is no better place in the country to race sailboats" Bertrand enthused.

"A wide range of conditions, generally onshore 8-16 knots. And just as importantly Royal Brighton Yacht Club is a magnificent facility. The surrounding areas of Brighton and Melbourne are incredibly vibrant places to hang out full of cafes, restaurants and friendly Australians!"

As he prepares for the Pre-Worlds, John will compete with his team at the Australian National Championships in Metung and the Christmas regatta held in Brighton with his boat Triad2020.

Looking at the current entries, he sees strong teams and anticipates fierce competition. "There are already multiple world champions in this hot fleet. I often say, the Etchells are the Olympic class in the non-Olympic years. This will be the same, just got to go through the list so far and they're all showing up!" Bertrand commented.

As the excitement continues to build, sailors from around the globe are gearing up for some thrilling warm-up competition with the North American Championships and European Championships set for mid October.

John is confident that Australia's setting and the talent present will lead to another fantastic year at the Etchells Worlds. "The racing will be red hot. Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world to visit and people will be blown away by the hospitality."

This year has seen a significant increase in representation of youth and female sailors across world-class competitions in sailing. John believes the Etchells will continue to showcase the best sailing has to offer, not only for youth and women, but also for Corinthian sailors.

"I'm thrilled to see the resurgence of the Corinthian sailors and the youth are our future. We have seen the Youth America's Cup play out in Barcelona and it has been a huge success and the Women's America's Cup is on the horizon. It is the responsibility of the finest one design racing in the world via the Etchells class to encourage this," Bertrand remarked.

With esteemed sailors like John Bertrand leading the charge, the World Championship promises not only high-level racing but also a vibrant cultural experience for participants and spectators alike. The upcoming Australian Nationals and Christmas Cup will further enhance the excitement, drawing in top competitors eager to make their mark before the World Championship.

Related Articles

Etchells Australian Championship Corinthians
The Lisa Rose team won the Corinthian and Youth trophies The youth team aboard Lisa Rose AUS1484 took out third place overall and were awarded the Corinthian and Youth trophies at the recent Etchells 2025 Australian championship regatta. Posted on 13 Nov
Who is in form for the Etchells Worlds?
An impressive recent slew of results for the Magpie team Graeme "G.T." Taylor has done it again, winning the Etchells National Championship on AUS1486 Magpie, with the return of Ben "Lamby" Lamb to his crew alongside long-time crewmate James "Jimmy" Mayo. Posted on 12 Nov
Etchells Australian Championship overall
Graeme Taylor retains the title at Metung Yacht Club Graeme Taylor retained his Australian title status in the International Etchells class, winning the 2025 championship in champagne sailing conditions on Lake King, at Metung. Posted on 6 Nov
Etchells Australian Champs Women's Helm Trophy
The winner said she was taking the same team to the worlds The winner of race 7 of the Etchells 2025 Australian championship regatta said she was taking the same team to the 2025 World championship. Posted on 5 Nov
Lipton Trophy 2024 at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
62 boats set off at staggered start times Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Top Dog Trophy Series 2024-2025 kicked off on 2 November with the first of four constituent events, the Lipton Trophy pursuit race, which saw 62 boats set off at staggered start times according to their RHKATI rating. Posted on 4 Nov
Etchells Australian Championship Day 1
Three races held in ideal conditions at Metung Yacht Club Day one racing of the 2025 Australian championship was held in champagne conditions. The race officers, Ross and Kevin Wilson, intended to run three races and they achieved their aim. Posted on 3 Nov
Etchells Australian Championship Invitational Race
Almost the entire fleet of 33 teams took part at Metung Yacht Club on Friday Champagne conditions are promised today for the first day of heats in the International Etchells 2025 Australian Championship. Posted on 2 Nov
Star World Champions heading to Etchells Worlds
A range of international performers ahead heading for Royal Brighton Yacht Club in January The Etchells National and World Championships in January 2025 at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, are attracting a range of international performers across classes including the most recent Star Class World Champions, John Kostecki and Austin Sperry. Posted on 28 Oct
Get your Australian Etchells Championship entry in
The reigning World and Australian champions will be sailing in the regatta The reigning World and Australian champions in the International Etchells class will be sailing at Metung in November, in the 2025 Australian Championship regatta. Posted on 24 Oct
Etchells Europeans 2024 at Cowes
17 teams with visitors from New Zealand, the USA and Ireland Seventeen teams were geared up to take on the season finale of the Etchells European Championship in Cowes. The event was run by the Royal Yacht Squadron of Peter Saxton and his very experienced race committee. Posted on 18 Oct
Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERSavvy Navvy 2024