Etchells sailors gearing-up for Worlds
'Etchells Worlds 2008'
Chicago Yacht Club ©
Today Chicago's Belmont harbor was busy with measurement and registration for the 86 boats who will compete in the 2008 Etchells World Championships next week, nevertheless a group of Etchells competitors took time out to give back to the sport they love.
These skippers and crew were joined by 32 students from Chicago's Rickover Naval Academywho sported bright life jackets and helped world-class skippers rig their boats for an afternoon of harbor racing.For these skippers, who will be participating in the prestigious 2008 Etchells World Championship, hosted by Chicago Yacht Club and presented by World Sport Chicago, this was an opportunity to share valuable sailing lessons with the students, while also taking advantage of the nice weather conditions towarm up before the regatta kicks off on Monday.
'It was good fun, especially when the weather blew in with a nice breeze and the sun,' said reigning Etchells World Champion, Andy Beadsworth of Cowes, England.
Before heading out on the water for their 2.5 nautical mile race, the students learned the proper safety procedures, then joined the skippers on the boats to help raise the sails and secure all the equipment in place. Many of these students had never been on a boat before, and felt comfortable knowing they were in world-class hands. 'It was fun, especially when the boat would tip,' said first-place finisher Edward, 16, a rising junior at the Academy. His partner, Ivana, 16, a soon to be a sophomore, enjoyed 'pulling lines and moving all over the boat. It was my first time sailing.' Their skipper, Beadsworth, noted their 'great job. By the second lap, they did it without much instruction. Winning made it even more fun for everyone.' 
After the race around the harbor, the students returned to Belmont Station to take a tour, learn more nautical terms, and watch other skippers prepare their boats for the Championships. In July, about 16 Rickover students will begin a sailing training program here with the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation in hopes of launching an academy team. If successful, this would create Chicago Public School's second competitive sailing team. Founded in 2005, Rickover Naval Academy is a college preparatory school that uses the Navy Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps program to provide leadership training to 315 students in ninth to 11th grade. This fall the school will expand to include seniors.
'The event went really well. There were perfect sailing conditions. I saw one of the kids steering, which must have been pretty exciting,' said Chris Mitchell, a member of the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation, and the students guide for the afternoon.
The Foundation and World Sports Chicago would like to thank the skippers and crew who generously donated their time today to help introduce Chicago youth to the sport of sailing. Thank you Andy Beadsworth and Dave Dwyer (IRL); Brian Ehrhart (AUS); Graham Bailey (GBR); Justin Palm and Erik Garr (USA); Steven Quinn (IRL); Bruce Burton (USA); Shannon Bush (USA); Jan Muysken (AUS); Jake Gunther (AUS) and Gretchen Sullivan (USA).
The 2008 Etchells World Championship will run from June 21 through June 28, bringing top international skippers to Lake Michigan. The World Championship comes only weeks after the city was named one of the four finalists for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games. Opening ceremonies take place on June 21, and the first race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on June 23.
Opening ceremonies will take place the evening of Saturday, June 21, at the Chicago Yacht Club Belmont Harbor Station. Additional information on the event, along with a complete race schedule, can be found at www.etchellsworlds2008.comand www.chicagoyachtclub.org
For additional information about World Sport Chicago and its mission to raise awareness and participation of Olympic, Paralympic and amateur sports, please visit its Web site at www.worldsportchicago.org.
The Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Today, the club boasts a membership of nearly 1,500 boating enthusiasts and is one of the preeminent organizers of regattas, races and predicted-log events in the United States. The club offers an array of spectacular off-the-water amenities, including fine dining and full-service catering at both its Monroe and Belmont stations.
by Christie Kirchner 
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