The World's have come to a close, but the memories will last forever. We didn't have a lot of expectations going into the regatta but certainly left feeling we didn't sail as well as we could have, leaving ourselves lots of room for improvement. A regatta of this level certainly exposes your weaknesses big or small, but also shows you the strengths of the team.
Sailors from Annapolis posted several strong finishes in races, Gary Gilbert had four top ten finishes including a pair of seconds. Christopher Brady and Jose Fuentes both posted top ten finishes.
Saturday's wind forecast was less then ideal but the race committee was hoping to complete two races to reach the nine scheduled races. As Jonathan Forsberg described it, "it started out like a typical Opti race, a hundred boat tow out with a bunch of coach and support boats, except they are Etchells."
After a short postponement, the race committee got race number eight started and completed. That raced sealed a third World Championship for Bill Hardesty, allowing him to sail home to start his celebration during the ninth and final race.
Then it was over, nine races were completed and the fleet had the final "race" of the event; to the haul out lifts. All the planning, organization, and now the sailing was done all that was left was to pack up the boat to head for home.
Annapolis sailors gathered one final time Saturday night for a barbecue to celebrate Jeff Borland's birthday and discuss the incredible week of sailing we had.
Opportunities to participate in regattas of this size and depth of talent are rare. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend it. You will come home to your local fleet a better sailor. Hopefully, ready to share some of your new found knowledge and experiences to share with your friends elevating the skill level of the entire fleet.
Ernest Freeland is our guest reporter, as well as a competitor at the Etchells World Championships in Newport, RI.
Full results can be found here.
