8th February 2026 – Hong Kong’s Racer CC crew of Mark Thornburrow/Julian Plante/Malcolm Page/Mike Huang were this afternoon crowned new champions of the Brian Hilton – Ineos Grenadier 2026 International Etchells NSW Championship at Gosford Sailing Club (GSC).
Racer CC’s crew, including double Olympic gold medallist Page and 2018 Etchells world champion, Plante, set the standard from the first day and counted four bullets and a second place in their tally, with a worst result of fifth. The Hong Kong entry won by a clear 10 points and also take home the Grand Masters trophy.
Today’s fifth and fourth places did not reflect the rest of their results – and no, the wheels did not fall off – as Thornburrow explained and others agreed, “It was a difficult day – we were OCS in the first, so had to go back and didn’t have a great start in the second, so we had to make it up during the races. It was the flukiest day of all of them.”
Like others, he agreed it was best to go left today, “but the puffs came from both sides of the course and you had to sail to the puffs.” His crew enjoyed the regatta though. “It was the first time in 13 months we’ve sailed together. It was great getting together again and good to see people we hadn’t seen in over a year.
“Jan (Muysken from GSC, who also contested the Championship) put a lot of effort into getting the boats here. There were more of them than I expected – he did a great job. It was a very well run event on the water too. They didn’t waste time. It was shifty the whole time, so it wasn’t easy for them.”
Thornburrow spoke of the next stop for the Racer CC crew, “We’re doing Victorian Etchells Championship and then going to San Diego for the Worlds. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, we’ll see how we go in Melbourne. I expect most the top boats to probably be there, as they’re all going to the Worlds.”
Second overall was Magpie, steered by Richard Clarke and crewed by two of the three reigning world champions, James Mayo (he’s won three Etchells Worlds) and Ben Lamb. The trio won just one race, but otherwise sailed consistently in the top four. Clarke only recently joined the Magpie team as helm, having previously coached them, so their result is quite stunning.
Lamb, a versatile sailor from Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, is the reigning Etchells World champion with James Mayo and their helm, Graeme Taylor, who is missing in action as his partner is due to give birth.
The latest was Lamb’s second world title in the class and he also owns an Australian Laser title and is an America’s Cup sailor. He said this afternoon: “We’re feeling pretty positive and feel we’ve made improvements to boat speed, boat set up and things we’re trying out are working.
The trio have also been working on their starting systems and Lamb says, “It’s beginning to work really well. We’re on the same page, enjoying our sailing and it’s all making sense.”
The Magpies are fortunate in that Grant Simmer and Victor Kovalenko are coaching them “and Andy Green is helping out towards our campaign for the Worlds in May. And Richard (Clarke) is going really well.”
Magpie is already in San Diego, and the boat they sailed here at Gosford is the Magpie that won the last two Worlds. “We’re going to San Diego on the 16th of February for two weeks to train, then straight back to do Victorian Championship. After that, we’ll be two weeks a month in San Diego,” he says of Magpie’s efforts to claim a third consecutive Worlds win.
Lamb concedes, “This regatta was tough. It was shifty and it was tough being a tactician. It was a bit of emotional roller coaster at times.”
Third went to Jeanne-Claude Strong and her Flying High crew of Sam Newton Seve Jarvin, six points in arears of Magpie. Strong also picked up the Masters winning trophy. In the end, Flying High, also headed to the Worlds, beat Great White Hunter (David Dunn/George Richardson/Max Brennan by four points, Dunn admitting they were going for broke today in their efforts to try and finish on the podium.
The Corinthian trophy went to Queensland’s Mama says: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight (Bradley Ginnivan/Scotty Miller/Will Thomson) after placing eighth overall.
The fleet was on the water early today, ready for an 11am start to Race 6, which was sailed in a 12 knot southerly. Victoria’s Tango (Chris Hampton/Charlie Cumbley/Sam Haines) had the goods and was followed over the finish line by GSC hope, Lucy (Peter McNeill/Andrew Smith/Simon Reffold).
Third went to Mama says: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight – Mama obviously isn’t talking about daylight hours! Following them were Flying High and Racer CC., the latter using this as a throw out.
By Race 7, the fleet of 27 was sailing in a 15 knot southerly, a nice change from the light air. Magpie’s crew picked up their first win, firmly establishing them as overall runner-up.
Rocketmen (James Dorron/John Walton/Nick Kingsmill) posted a second – and in finishing third Great White Hunter (David Dunn/George Richardson/Max Brennan, firmly put his team back in in contention for a top three finish overall – but it was not to be. Racer CC and Flying High popped up in fourth and fifth places.
Race 8 was abandoned when the breeze died away, so the Championship was decided on seven of the planned nine races in this predominantly light air event. The wind got into the teens at times, including for one race today, but it was short lived.
Stephen Slater, General Manager of Brian Hilton – Ineos Grenadier was asked to present the NSW trophy to Racer CC’s skipper, Mark Thornburrow and his crew at the prize giving at GSC late this afternoon. Also on hand was Club President, Greg Humphries and Etchells Fleet Captain, George Johnstone.
MC, John Humphries, thanked all competitors for attending and making it a memorable Championship. He went on to thank naming rights sponsor Brian Hilton – Ineos Grenadier, support sponsors, Henri Lloyd, North Sails, PM Sails, Whale Spars, Vakaros, Burke and Marsh. The many volunteers were given a huge thanks, without them, these Championships could not have happened.
The Brian Hilton – Ineos Grenadier 2026 International Etchells NSW Championship was conducted by Gosford Sailing Club on behalf of the Gosford International Etchells Fleet Inc. and was sailed on windward/leeward courses on the waters off the Club.
For full results and information, please visit: https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/59/profile?tab=entry
By Di Pearson/Gosford Sailing Club media
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