Musto Etchells Winter series - Ready to Rock

6:10 AM Thu 4 Jun 2009 GMT

'Getting ready for an afternoon sail - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy

Today was designated Registration and Weigh-in Day at the Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009, being sailed off the waters of Mooloolaba Friday 5th to Sunday 7th June. Tomorrow 55 Etchells crews will hit the start line in the 13th annual winter regatta.

The boat park has been a hive of activity throughout the day, with sailors preparing their Etchells for lowering into the water and for the short tow to their marina berths at the Wharf Marina.

At the weigh-in this morning, several high profile crews were significantly overweight in their test weigh in, well over the Etchells class weight limit of 285kg. A Sauna was needed and urgently.

Ken Downes, the prominent yachtsman and architect and a former Mooloolaba Yacht Club Commodore, offered his assistance. His Bondoola Apartments complex had a private sauna, and so one former Mid-winter winning skipper and his three crew had two sessions there, finally losing those excess kilos. During the afternoon other crews followed their lead including a Kiwi crew, who shall remain nameless except for Big Rob Bassett

The cut-off time for weigh-in is Friday 9.00am, but a few minutes ago the five kilo lighter Sydney crew were jubilant to discover they could enjoy tonight's Welcome Party at the Wharf Tavern. (with the clues provided here and a look at the entry list you can work out who was seriously overweight.)

The weather has cleared, after a day and a half of showers, with south to south westerly winds around ten knots forecast for tomorrow. Forecasts predict that the wind could build on subsequent days, offering the promise of fast and spectacular Etchells racing.

Ross and Kevin Wilson, the popular race officers from Melbourne are back again for their fifth series. No matter what the breeze does, they will no doubt turn the sows into silk purses.

Preparations in the afternoon sunshine - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

Is that mast right? - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

Time for an afternoon sail - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

Fine tuning - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

Preparations Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

Event sponsors logo - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

Etchells flag flying in the breeze - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

Etchells in waiting - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy Click Here to view large photo

Etchells flag and The Wharf, Mooloolaba - Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship 2009 - Sail-World.com -AUS&copy

by Al Constable

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