Hi all,

Spring is here again and many of us are either back on the water after a winter break or just about to be. It's a great time to plan your sailing summer and work out, given your level of participation, what can and can't be achieved for the summer taking into account all those other things that must be done (usually to pay the bills to keep you sailing!). Speaking of bills, it's also time to front up to your fleet captain, treasurer or secretary to renew your Association membership for the season. Doing this promptly really helps the class run smoothly both for information out to you and for running events for you. Your Fleet Captains have decided to take a more hands on approach to Class membership and are likely to enforce a no membership no finish approach at club racing levels. Talk to them about membership deadlines and don't get caught out.

Its great to see the communication and planning for the forthcoming regattas at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, they commence soon with an open invitation to their Spring Series, followed by the Queensland Championship in December and the Nationals in January. I'm looking forward to competing in the latter of these events and am sure that David Irvine and his team will put on a great set of events.

Another item that I'm sure will be of interest to members is the current activity being undertaken by the International One Design Technical Committee, under the supervision of the International Governors Committee to introduce a ring frame to be in the forward bulkhead of Etchells. This will reduce and hopefully eliminate hull and deck join failures that sometimes occur in this area due to flexing through waves upwind. All three licensed builders have suggested this change and several boats around the world are currently testing the frame. Importantly it has been designed for relatively straight forward retro fitting to current boats at a strictly controlled measurement point. Once finally approved the ring frame will be available only through our licensed builders and will include all materials (except resins) and detailed instructions for fitting locally. The additional weight of the frame no more than 2 kgs. The renewed stiffness provided will add longevity to existing hulls, in the view of many. Final details of this initiative and will be on our website once approvals and appropriate controls are in place.

I would like to take the opportunity here to include just a couple of points from my Annual Report as this years AGM. Firstly the organising committee for the 2007 Nationals and Worlds at Fremantle headed by Brian Thornley deserve significant accolades. Not only were the championships' well run on the water but it was obvious to me, as a competitor, that the attention to detail in planning and running these events off the water was also second to none. The Swan River fleet had a goal to make this World Championship one of the most 'International' in recent times and with hard work and perseverance this certainly occurred. In my view, twenty six International crews (ie non host nation) will be a benchmark by which participation in World Championships' in future years will be measured against, well done!

The 2007 World Championships' have been completed in late June this year at the Royal Corinthian Yacht club in Cowes. Whilst the overall numbers were significantly down at this event, I acknowledge the efforts of the six Australian crews who travelled to compete and in particular the two Australian crews in the top ten. Well done all!

At the 2006 AGM we acknowledged the loss of Jim Annand who had made significant contributions to the class over a long period of time. Sadly, August 2007 Harry Sutton also passed away. Whilst I did not know Harry personally, I am aware of the huge contribution he made in founding the class in Australia through the 1970's and 80's. I am certain that without his efforts and foresight the class would not be in the position of strength that it is in today. A similar tribute to the late David Bebb has also been recorded in the International Newsletter.

Lastly, one IGC decision taken at its meeting in Cowes in June 2007 that you all should be made aware of is that Ian Kingsford Smith our National Secretary and Sydney Fleet member has been bestowed Life Membership by the International Association for his ongoing contribution to the class. Congratulations Ian and very well deserved.

National President
5 October 2007
International Etchells Class of Australia