Day 1 Series 1
Being held at Hervey Bay, Queensland.
Sailors in Series One for the Hobie®14 Turbo, H16 Youth, H16 Women, H16 Grand Masters, Hobie 18, Tiger and Wild Cat classes began racing this morning after a 10:30am briefing.
After the final registration and weigh-in for competitors in the first series of the 2016 multi- series format for the regatta. The sailors headed to their boats then out on the water.
While the wind may have only averaged 13.5 knots on the start boat the sailors felt much more at the top end of the course. Some sailors saying the wind was over 20 knots.
A few capsizes blew the cobwebs of the sailors and kept everyone busy. The wind is expected to be lighter tomorrow which will be a relief for some of the sailors.
More photos courtesy of Hobie Cat Australasia
Series 1 Day 2
What a day for the sailors at Hervey Bay. It was a warm testing day with the wind in the morning session 5-12 knots. Two races were sailed.While great for sailing the wind pattern was shifty causing many place changes. Coming form the relative open area of the South East and no clouds it made it even difficult for the sailors to pick the correct side of the course.
In the afternoon the wind increased slightly to 7-15 knots but the wind pattern made it extremely difficult for the sailors to predict the patterns. Another 2 races were sailed testing the sails stamina as the conditions are quite warm for some of the southern sailors.
In the Hobie Turbo, Fletcher Warren-Myers was happy with his results with four first places today. Fletch commented ‘it was hard work and I really had to keep watching the competition as the wind was changing direction and strength’
While in the Womens fleet Georgia Warren-Myers sailing with Sarah Hollands maintained the lead. The tram sailed impressively and constantly.
The youth team of Will McKenzie and Bonnie Butler fresh from the World Sailing Youth Worlds sailed exceptionally well with 6 first places and dropping a second place.
Mick Butler the former Hobie 16 World Champion teaming up with Pete Dublar have shown the Hobie Wide Cat sailors their skills. Pete commented ‘Mick has had to adjust from his Hobie 16 sailing but has performed really well as this is our first time sailing together.’
Racing continues tomorrow with many of the sailors hoping for more consistent breeze.
More photos courtesy of Hobie Cat Australasia
Series 1 Day 3
Light winds greeted the sailors for the third day of the Australian Hobie championships at Hervey Bay. The Race Committee delayed the racing till the breeze filled and settled across the course. As he sailors thought they would have their lunch came the call ‘off the beach’.
With a nice 7 knot sea breeze the sailors left the beach and headed out for three back-to-back races. The breeze built during the day to a 12-13 knots and reasonably flat water.
On the Hobie 14 Turbo Fletcher Warren-Myers continued his unbroken run of first places. Now notching up 10 wins.
While on the Hobie 18 Shane (Chuck) Norris has 9 wins and a second place. As does Kerrie Driver on the Tiger.
With racing concluding tomorrow in preparation for the News Year Eve party and presentation the racing remains open for the other classes for a another boat to snatch the lead. With a similar weather forecast for tomorrow anything can happen.
More photos courtesy of Hobie Cat Australasia
Series 1 day 4 conclusion
A perfect day greeted the Hobie sailors at Hervey Bay for the conclusion of the last day of sailing in the first series of the Australian Hobie Championships. With a steady 7 knot sea breeze building to 13 knots. The race committee set out to do maximum number of races to conclude the series. After 12 races the sailors could discard their worst two score. 14 was the maximum number of races to complete the series and this is what was raced.
With the results still being finalised for a big presentation later tonight. This will include bringing in the New Year with a large fireworks show.
For some of the sailors it will be the end of the National Championships while others will be building boats on News Years Day for the start of the Hobie 16 Open series. Though the common thread from all the sailors was how much they enjoyed the close racing and the great sailing conditions. Hervey Bay really turned the weather on for them.
More photos courtesy of Hobie Cat Australasia
