(CHICAGO 7/28/08) - Bill Hardesty, Erik Shampain, Steve Hunt, and Jennifer Wilson of San Diego took their first Etchells World Championship title after ending the regatta with a strong 12th place finish in race 6. After dropping a 39 point finish from their score, the team secured first place overall with a total of 30. Hardesty was the pre-event favorite having won both the Midwinters East and West.

Chris Busch, Chad Hough, Chuck Sinks, and Peter Burton, also of San Diego, came in second with 38 points followed by Jud Smith, Henry Frazer, and James Porter in 3rd with 41.

After protest and redress hearings at the end of today, Peter Duncan moved from 16th to tie Beadsworth/Dwyer at 56 points for 4th. Duncan won with tie breaker with his 2nd place win in today's race.