Persistent Mcneill Sails To World Title

Newcastle Herald

Thursday August 12, 2004

By STEWART ROACH

LAKE Macquarie sailor Peter McNeill had the dual distinction of making his own sails as well as skippering the yacht to win the Etchells World Championship at Mooloolaba off the Queensland Sunshine Coast last weekend.

The 42-year-old from Nords Wharf beat a fleet of 85 to become only the seventh Australian to win the world title with his crew of Greg Torphy and Paul Turner sailing Tom Pepper XVIII.

His best previous performance was third at his original club, Pittwater, in 1999.

McNeill was fourth to English sailor Stuart Childerley in Auckland in 2002.

"We went there to win . . . second placing was no option," McNeill said.

Turner, from the Central Coast, has been sailing with McNeill for six seasons.

Torphy joined the crew this year but has the experience of sailing with Colin Beashel in the Star Class at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and is a member of the host club.

McNeill borrowed the boat, which was originally named Mojo, from Etchells newcomer Ian Knight.

He did not win a race in the series but relied on consistency. His placings were second, eighth, 11th, third, eighth, fifth, 37th (which he dropped) and fourth for a total of 51 points.

"We've been to 12 or 13 worlds and that is certainly our best result," McNeill said.

"It was consistency that got us there and a bit of experience from previous championships.

"We had been third and fourth before and done well at some other world championships, but this was the best when we finally won one."

Included in the fleet were America's Cup legend and twice world Etchells champion American Dennis Conner, who finished fifth, and Australia's John Bertrand who was 14th.

McNeill makes his own sails in a small loft in a granny flat at his home.

Fourth-placed Julian Plante used the same design, but most other competitors used North Sails.

McNeill did his apprenticeship with Rob Antill at North Sails in Sydney when he was 15.

Antill now also sails at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club at Belmont.

"Julian and I thrashed out some ideas about the best sail shapes for the world titles after the winter Australian Championships at Mooloolaba," McNeill said. "We hit the nail on the head."

McNeill has been on a boat almost all his life.

He started in Manly Juniors at Pittwater when he was nine years old then Cherubs and Lasers and moved into Etchells 23 years ago. His family moved to Nords Wharf seven years ago and live on the edge of Lake Macquarie.

McNeill's son Robbie, 11, is already into sailing with a Pittwater Junior. He has sailed Pelicans at Belmont and this year will crew on a Flying 11.

McNeill's daughter Elise, nine, also has a Pelican trainer and full approval from her mother, Leoni, who is also from a sailing background.

"That's how we met, through sailing," McNeill said.

McNeill plans to defend the title in San Francisco in September next year after competing in the Australian titles in Sydney in January.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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