Worlds starts now at the Louis Piana Cup
Photos by Pieter Vanderlaan
Miami, FL- (December 9th) As the host for the 2023 AON Etchells World Championships Etchells Fleet 20 is off to a great start with the first Biscayne Bay Regatta Series, the Louis Piana Cup, kicking off this weekend. Biscayne Bay Yacht Club (BBYC) is bustling with excitement as sailors prepare and greet each other while rigging, registering, and socializing ahead of the racing.
Dave Brennan (PRO) commented, “I have been involved with the Etchells Winter Series from the beginning, I was the race officer for the first 15 years of the series. Little did I know at the time that the series would grow into one of the premiere yachting events in the world. Some of the finest and most talented sailors in the world are here for the Etchells Winter Series and the World Championship.”
There are plenty of past World Champions, Olympic Champions, Match Race Champions, and Americas Cup champions, not only competing but coaching as well. The vast majority of the competitors have sailed in the series for many years and they find Biscayne Bay Yacht Club like a second home.
Miami’s warm weather is a welcome relief for many of the 53 teams representing 6 countries and 15 American states descending on Biscayne Bay for the first of the pre-worlds warmup events. The winds are looking light, unfortunately, but that climate is not the only reason the sailors are here. Andrew Palfrey (USA 1453, Oatmeal – Rye, New York) stated, “I think the biggest thing is the camaraderie of the fleet. It’s like a family.”
There is an older guard in the boat park made up of at least 5 world champions – including the latest champion crowned in September in Cowes, Ante Razmilovic – mingling amongst the newer players as all prepare for the 2-day event. Veteran competitors are eager to catch up and share stories while also getting to know some of the new faces.
One new young group of talent hails from the Greig City Academy (London, Haringey) – whose efforts were highlighted in a recent Sunday Times in the UK – sponsored by David Franks, who generously donated a boat (GBR 1014 – Palavar) to the Etchells Youth Academy, a junior keelboat program located in the UK. There are four Palavar sailors onboard all between 17-19 years old. The program is about providing mentorship and sponsorship that will build the foundations for the Etchells to continue providing seasoned and new crews to merge and create new future competition.
This Etchells “Pre-Worlds” season is set to be an exciting one. Be sure to follow along to see which crews rise to the top ahead of the World Championships in April. For many though, the experience is also about the moments shared on the water and off. We will bring stories throughout the lead-up to Worlds tapping into the abundant knowledge and passion contained in this fleet.
Reporting by Hadley Hege, Editing by Kate Somers.
