The overall winner of the 2017 Etchells World Championship, hosted by the San Francisco Yacht Club, is Steve Benjamin (USA), representing the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, with crew of Dave Hughes, Ian Liberty, and Michael Menninger. Benjamin, a past Olympic medalist, 505 World Champion, and 2015 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, finally claimed the championship after numerous attempts. He also wins the Senior (helm over 60 years of age) and Masters (helm over 50 years of age) trophies.

Remarkably, at the end of the fourth day of racing in the Etchells World Championship, each of the eight races have been won by eight different teams. Thirty of the 51 competitors have had at least one top ten finish, demonstrating the amazing depth of the talent in this regatta.

Racers were greeted by typical San Francisco conditions for races seven and eight. As the race committee, headed by PRO Jeff Zarwell, set the line, wind readings were in the 17 – 19 kt range in a waning ebb with big chop.