Big guns in NZ

Anne Hinton previews the form of the ANZDL Etchells Nationals

Reigning New Zealand Etchells National Champion Dennis Connor will once again meet long-time adversary John Bertrand in the ANZDL 2004 National Championships which will be sailed on the Hauraki Gulf, commencing tomorrow from the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.

Bertrand won the New Zealand title in 2002, but did not compete last year. He finished third at the Australian Championships this year, later winning the New South Wales state event. “The New Zealand National Championships are part of my preparation for the Worlds in Mooloolaba, Queensland, this year”, said Bertrand.

Bertrand has chartered Dean Barker’s Etchells for this event. Barker is away at the HRH Princess Sofia Trophy in Mallorca taking part in the selection trials for the Finn at the Athens Olympics this summer.

Both will, however, face tough competition from top New Zealand and Australian crews present at the event. Indeed Connor was beaten at the World Championships in the USA last year by relative newcomer to the class, Kiwi Cameron Appleton. Appleton finished the World Championships in fourth place at his first attempt. Just prior to the 2003 World Championships, Appleton also won the Etchells Australian Winter Championships.

Cameron Appleton had a long stint as back-up helmsman at Team New Zealand, during which he was, inevitably, somewhat in the shadow of Dean Barker. He is now beginning to emerge as a top sailor in his own right. Amongst his recent successes are victories in the 2003 New Zealand national keelboat championship and the 2004 Grade 2 international match race event that replaced the former Steinlager Line 7 Cup.

Others to watch for include Australians Noel Drennan and Mark Bradford, and Kiwis such as Grant Turnbull, Brian Jones and Lindsay Kennedy.

Moderate breezes are forecast, possibly decreasing in strength later during the series. The Championships run from 9th to 12th April.