The North American Etchells Class has partnered with Australian performance sailing gear Zhik to present the Zhik Etchells Atlantic Championship Series. Zhik is sponsoring the series as part of a strategic relationship with the class for 2010.The series is the brainchild of a large group of New England- based Etchells sailors who wanted to replicate the successes of the Jaguar Cup Winter Series. Four class-sanctioned events have been scheduled between June and October with a concentration of activity in Newport, RI. (The initial event, the Zhik Long Island Sound Championship, was hosted by Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT on June 19 & 20). The Zhik Atlantic Coast Championship will be held in conjunction with the Coastal Living Newport Regatta on July 9 - 11. The Zhik Rhode Island Cup will be hosted and run by Sail Newport on September 11 & 12, and the Zhik US Nationals will be hosted and run by the New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court October 1 - 3.
“This is going to be a fantastic series for Etchells sailors and our terrific sponsor, Zhik,” said series Co-Chairman Kurt Winkelmann. “We’re enthusiastic about the opportunity to help Zhik continue to build their brand in North America.” For more information about the Zhik Etchells Atlantic Championship Series, visist etchellsna.org/schedule.html. See the full line of Zhik gear at zhik.com.
