Day 1 of the Etchells World Championships hosted by Chicago Yacht Club saw International competitors from the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland compete for the world title. Sailors in the 83 strong fleet arrived to a brisk 15-18 knot NNW wind for the 5 mile sail out to the race course. The winds lightened and the race started on time in an 8-12 knot breeze. A large right shift in the first beat proved to be the race determining factor, for many boats were locked out to the left side after the start.
RCYC's Dave Dwyer and his Marinerscove crew ground back from deep in the fleet for a 40th place finish. Winds died shortly after the finish of the first race and the second race was cancelled.The second day saw two races of roughly two hours each sailed in 5-10 knots of wind and Dwyer finishing with a slightly less disappointing 24th and 22nd places. Day 3 brought tricky conditions and a tough day for many of the regattas leading boats with overcast skies and scatered showers in a moderate SSE breeze. However a continous right shift filled in again and paid off for Dave Dwyer who took 4th place. "That's much better" commented Dave on his return to the dock.
On day 4, the race committee called it a day at 1.30pm and no races were held as a large high pressure system sat over Lake Michigan bringing no wind but blue skies and sunshine to Chicago's lakefront. The late start on Day 5 produced a nail biting race when the first three boats established a significant lead over the rest of the fleet. Jud Smith of the US took 1st followed closely by Canadian Dirk Kneulman in 2nd and Dave Dwyer in 3rd place.
The 6th and final race was held on Saturday 28th June in beautiful conditions of 10-20 knots of westerly winds. American's Chris Busch and Peter Duncan finished in 1st and 2nd respectively with Dave Dwyer again in 3rd place. With the six races necessary to complete the championships having been run, the remaining 3 planned races were called off. American Bill Hardesty was crowned Etchell World Champion with fellow American's Chris Busch and Jud Smith taking 2nd and 3rd. Ireland's Dave Dwyer tied for 4th overall with Peter Duncan of the US. This is the highest overall position achieved by Ireland in the Etchells Worlds.
The 2009 World Championships will take plce next year in March in Melbourne, Australia.
