Musto Etchells Winters -The spotlight shifts

7:52 AM Sat 6 Jun 2009 GMT

'Taylor-Jane Rose' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Sailing at the Mooloolaba Etchells Winters Championship has become part of the tradition for Australian Etchells sailors. Its a tough regatta, 12 so far and 12 different winners.

Brisbane sailor David Rose won the inaugural regatta in 1997. This year he and 11 other skippers are trying to win their second Winter title.

Pre-event there was media attention on those past winning skippers but much less so now.

And Rose has to share the blame for the shift of the spotlight.

Dave, Scott Backhouse and Dave's daughter Taylor-Jane Rose are sailing Fair Bump, Play On.

Usually girls sail Etchells as part of a four person crew, but that is not the case on Fair Bump.

Taylor-Jane Rose on 39 - 2009 Musto Etchells Winters - Peter Duncan&copy Click Here to view large photo

Taylor-Jane is a tall girl 182cm, a well framed 69kg, but is just 13 years old - only 20 months older than this regatta series.

Dave recalls that in 1997 US Etchells champion Jud Smith did a little toddler sitting.

Taylor-Jane is easily the youngest of the 180 or so sailors in this annual regatta.

And its to her the spot light has swung.

She can be shy but when she gets going she is definitely Dave's daughter. 'I started sailing when I was five and I've done all kinds of sailing. I like the Lasers a lot. I've done an Etchells State title with Dad, but this is my first big fleet regatta.

'It seems I have to do all the real work on this boat, Dad and Scott are just too old.'

Guess every one is old when you are 13!