Double Etchells World Champion and former Olympian Stuart Childerley stamped his authority on Etchells sailing in Britain with an impressive victory at the Volvo-sponsored 2005 International Etchells Class National and British Open Championship. This showcase event was sailed out of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Cowes, Isle of Wight from 1-3 July.

Childerley with his crew, Simon Russell and Roger Marino, counted four firsts and a second (6 points). Brothers Nils Razmilovic (11 points) and Ante Razmilovic (16 points) were second and third respectively. The 31-strong fleet included two teams from Ireland and one from the USA.

With the breeze from the south west on all three days, shifts provided opportunities but sensible sailing was highly rewarded. Good breezes ranging form 10 to 18 knots enabled Principle Race Officer Bob Milner to complete all races impeccably and to schedule.

As expected in these evenly matched keelboats, the competition was incredibly tight all the way through the fleet. There are now high hopes of strong performances from the ten GBR teams competing in the world championship in San Francisco this September.