SPORTSMANSHIP AND THE RULES Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that they are expected to follow and enforce. A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when competitors break a rule they will promptly take a penalty, which may be to retire.
At some recent events, I have witnessed incidents on the water where one boat clearly fouled another yet no one accepted an alternative penalty. Once on shore, the parties involved were very upset. Sometimes words are exchanged and everyone goes away angry, there is no reason for this. The Hobie Class has a culture of friendly competition and with few protests but we can maintain this culture and still enforce the rules.
As the Northern Hemisphere slows down after a very busy Hobie® summer. The Southern Hemisphere (while parts of it never stopped racing) gears up for a busy time. It is time to reflect a bit about what has happened.
The 2017 Hobie Multiworlds and Europeans was a great success. 287 entries from 24 counties, 3 new world champions, all three teams were first time winners (Mitch Booth has previously won many world and Olympic medals but the first time with his daughter Rita). What was even more pleasing was the high number of youth sailing. The Dragoon numbers were back and the kids showed extremely high level of skill. The Hobie 14, still keeps amazing everyone with growing back in strength. The Hobie 14 again captures everyone, from male, female and youth sailors. Low cost and not a high-tech boat allows it to be both affordable and to be sailed in all weather conditions.
