2023 ended with another fun Hobie regatta, the 51st Australian Hobie Championships Series 1. The first series was the Hobie 16 Open and Hobie 18.
The racing attracted some of the best sailors from the Australia and Pacific Islands. With two top podium winners at the last Hobie 16 World Championships and the local hotshots, racing would always be close. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t what was in the brochure. Light winds, with severe storm warnings including lots of lightning made for difficult racing.
Hobie 16
Darren Smith & Claire Bisgood from Western Australia were the eventual winners. This is Darren’s 5th Australian Title with four different crews. It is Darren’s and Claire’s second Australian Championships together.
Second place was Fletcher and Georgia Warren-Myers who were the most consistent sailors. Their worst place was a 6th which they dropped.
Third place was current World Champions Cam Owen & Susan Ghent with local sailors Peter Bates & Juliet Bates a very close 4th. Rounding out the top five was the current president of the Australian Hobie Association Campbell Weddell with Pip Pietromonaco crewing.
Hobie 18
In a very close battle, Peter Manley & Katie Duggan won with a one-point advantage over Jake De Rooy & Alannah Simpson. Kerrie Driver & Andrew Driver finished 3rd. All the Hobie 18 racing was very close around the course.
All photos and videos are credited to Mike Middleton at RQTV. We thank Mike and RQTV for their generous support.
Hobie 16 Results Hobie 18 Results