Bertrand wins Audi Etchells Worlds Race 3

7:21 AM Tue 10 Mar 2009 GMT

'Bertrand Ainslie Palfrey leading' Steve Hall

Audi Etchells Worlds Race 3. Australian ace John Bertrand, sailing with Ben Ainslie and Andrew 'Dog' Palfrey had a convincing win in the Audi Etchells Worlds Race 3 this afternoon on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne.

Perfect light weather sailing conditions,10-12 knots, under clearing skies. Race 3 gunned away after a general recall and a clear black flag start this afternoon. The first leg was 2.3 nautical miles, bearing 210 with wind of 10 knots, which hardly varied for most of the race.

Bertrand led at the top mark from Pittwater sailor Mark Doyle. Third was 2001, 2002 world champion Stuart Childerley (GBR), then Tim Patton (BER), Jud Smith, the 2006 World Champion, and Chris Busch (USA) and Graeme Taylor (AUS).

At the bottom mark for the first time Chris Busch had sailed through Jud Smith, Tim Patton and Stuart Childerly into third place and up the second beat he had climbed into second place behind Bertrand. Down the run for the second time the top five places remained unchanged with Busch, Doyle, Childerly annd Smith following Bertrand.

Bertrand finished around 15 boat lengths ahead of Busch, who was two lengths ahead of Doyle. Too close to call between Smith and Jason Muir, looks like there was around a second between the pair. We await the official result.

Its been a good start to the regatta for Bertrand, who is yet to win an Etchells World Championship. He led after yesterday's first races and has extended his series lead today.

Jason Muir looks to be second overhall with Smith climbing into third place.

More news soon

by Rob Kothe

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Bertrand wins Audi Etchells Worlds Race 3

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