Pensacola Yacht Club, FL (September 29, 2025):
Day 1
69 teams from six countries are competing in the largest Hobie 16 North American championships in ten years. Very strong contingent from Mexico and Central America has swollen the fleet and driven the highly competitive field that includes multiple part North American champions and 2019 world champions Yamil SABA/Andrea SABA (VEN).
Due to the fleet size the event will be sailed in a split fleet format with a qualifying series and final series. Qualifying will take place over the first three days of competition. Following the third day, the fleet will be split into gold and silver for the final two days.
Three races for both fleets were completed on the first day in shifting winds 4-8 knots with just a bit of current thrown in for fun. A fourth race was started but had to be abandoned when the wind died. The usual sea breeze build never quite materialised, but the wind certainly did try to shift in that direction. The shifting winds throughout the day and varying pressure challenged even the best to find and stay in the favourable breeze.
After the first day, Jason HESS/Sofia PONCE (GUA) leads, followed by Mark MODDERMAN/Grace MODDERMAN (USA) in second and Wally MYERS/Kim ANASTON (USA) in third.
Racing continues through Friday.
Day 1 ResultsDay 2
Day 2 of the Hobie 16 North American championships continued to challenge sailors. The winds on day two were stronger but very shifty. North winds (offshore), created 45 degree shifts with wind speed varying from 5 to 15 knots. The wind could best be described as unstable and the shifts/pressure changes were frequent. Finding and staying in the pressure was the challenge as the wind was constantly changing. The best somehow connected the dots and stayed in the breeze.
Qualifying continues for one more day and then the fleet will be split into gold and silver for the finals.
After day 2 Jason HESS/Sonia PONCE (GUA) lead followed by Mark MODDERMAN/Grace MODDERMAN (USA) in second and Jason SANCHEZ/Heather MATTHEWS (USA).
Day 2 Results
Day 3
The racing in day 3 looked promising at the start with NE winds of 15 knots, but it wasn’t to be. Shortly after the 11:00 AM scheduled start time the wind promptly shut off and dropped to 5-8 for the remainer of the day. The sea breeze tried to make an appearance and despite the wind continually trying to go right it never materialized. Several attempted starts had to be abandoned due to large shifts. Two races were completed in 5-8 knots with oscillating winds.
Qualifying has now concluded, and the fleet will now be split into gold and silver for the final two days.
After day 3 Jason HESS/Sonia PONCE (GUA) lead followed by Mark MODDERMAN/Grace MODDERMAN (USA) in second and Greg THOMAS/Karen GRISKO (USA) in third.
Racing continues through Friday and the patten appears to be changing, brisk winds are forecasted for the final two days.
