James Badenach’s team, representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, has won the fourth edition of the Gertrude Cup, after holding off a strong challenge from the USA Youth Team, led by Connor Needham.
Bruce Huber’s team, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron, recovered from a show-stopping collision on the second day, to claim third.
Two youth teams tied on points for fourth, with the Grieg City Academy YC , led by Montel Fagan-Jordan, winning on countback, from the Royal London Yacht Club Youth Team, led by Ted Blowers.
This invitational event for the Etchells Class has attracted teams from yacht clubs from Australia, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Malta, Nigeria, and the USA.
The regatta features five days of exciting racing, and a vibrant social programme.
A fleet of equally matched Etchells is provided, each crew may sail a different hull each day to ensure fairness. Fully rigged, with new matching sails and prepared, ready to race, by the Cowes Etchells Fleet.
The helm must be a member of the invited club, but there are no other crew restrictions other than a weight limit. The intention is to run thirteen races with up to four races per day.
As an invitational regatta, the organisers of The Gertrude Cup, encourage young talented youth sailors to experience the Etchells Class.
Which leads Marine Industry News to congratulate one Bill Steele, from the Royal Perth Yacht Club, in not only getting a mention in a story that talks about “young talented youth sailors”, but also to rack up a tidy 6th overall.
The Gertrude Cup
