Bertrand tackles Mooloolaba

Preview of Australian Winter Etchells Nationals this weekend, with the worlds in six weeks

The remarkably successful sailing career of John Bertrand will be exposed to a serious test of tactical one design racing when he contests the Australian Etchells Winter Nationals off Mooloolaba this weekend.

Bertrand winner of the Americas Cup as skipper of Australia II and a Finn Olympic class Bronze Medalist at Montreal in 1976 will helm Two Saints and A Magpie in the International standard championship that has attracted a 57 boat fleet from Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australian clubs.

The master helmsman is no stranger to the strict art form of one design racing in the Etchells class at Mooloolaba having won the 2003 Australian Summer championship and placing third in the winter nationals last year after leading the title into the final race.

He will be on a mission to step up a gear in a bid to win the 2004 World championship over the same course from 28 July to 8 August.

Meanwhile Bertrand who has surprisingly never won an Etchells World title will be totally focused on becoming the 2004 title winner following a brilliant win in the recent New Zealand championship and the News South Wales title.

As expected the championship this weekend is significantly important with all the top crews keen to gain a decisive edge in preparation for the World championship.

The tactical encounter between Bertrand and the group of highly skilled one-design racing tacticians including the defending champion Cameron Appleton from New Zealand will be a feature of the series.

Appleton New Zealand’s deputy Americas Cup helmsman proved he is on the pace by scoring a come from behind title win in the final race at Mooloolaba last year.

From reports he is a major title contender along with previous winners Ian Johnson (Victoria), Julian Plante (NSW) and Queensland’s Mark Bradford.

Winning a clear wind start will be a paramount issue with so many good tacticians equal to the task.

However Bertrand will remain as the tactical target following his recent wins in major championships.

He has also added some tactical class to his crew with the inclusion of Admirals Cup winning crew member Mark Richards and the equally talented North Loft sailmaker Richie Allanson.

They will also be supported by an experienced coach in International Olympic Star class sailor Andrew Palfrey.

Bertrand has what it takes to win but he will be the subject of tactical attention from former World champions John Savage of Victoria and Cameron Miles (NSW).

Queensland champion Mark Bradford winner of this championship trophy two years ago and the Silver medal in the 2002 World championship in New Zealand will also be a serious challenger.

Bradford like Bertrand, Miles, Plante, the current Australian champion Mark Bulka and the talented Kiwi skipper Cameron Appleton hope to be the pace setters but any minor mistakes in course strategy or crew technique will place their title chances in damage control.

The series programmed for nine windward to leeward races off Alexandria Headland starting tomorrow and concluding on Monday morning will provide an insight into the form guide for the World championship from July 28 to August 8.