Run-away leaders in Hobie Worlds

by Paul Pascoe on 10 Apr 2002 Another day, another perfect score for Gavin Colby and Simone Mattfield in
the Air France Hobie 16 Worlds currently being sailed in Noumea, New
Caledonia in the South Pacific. After six races, all competitors have sailed
three races and Colby and Mattfield are the clear leaders with three first
places from races held in varying conditions. After two first places
yesterday, Colby sailed conservatively on the first leg and was in fourth
place at the first mark. He took the lead on the downwind leg and was never
headed.

The conditions on day 2 of the Semi-Finals provided a bit of everything for
the competitors. As people were rigging for the first race of the day a
tropical downpour started and continued until after they left the beach in
about 10 knots of breeze. The wind filled in during the race which finished
in 12 – 15 knots of breeze. Just prior to the second race the wind died
while competitors sat waiting for more consistent breeze. Eventually the
wind did fill in and the race started after several general recalls
finishing with a good 15 knots of breeze and sunny skies. The last race was
held in perfect conditions with a solid 18 knots and perfect tropical
conditions.

In second place overall after six races is Thibaut Vauchel-Camus and Matheas
Lassnig with a third place finish in their one race of the day. With
consistent sailing they have consolidate second place with the remainder of
the field several points behind. With a possible 8 races still to sail, the
few points between the top ten sailors are not significant at this stage.
Local sailors Aldo Cailleux and Estelle Rousseau continued their good form
with a fifth place finish to be in third place just in front of a group of
sailors all from Australia.

With three races sailed by each team, there is no throwout in the results,
so there will be significant changes after the next race. Victorien Erussard
and Jean-Marie Bontier with scores of 45,2,3 will move up significantly
along with Louis De Lima Mayer and Mike Cuvillier from New Caledonia who
finished the day with a 2 and a 5.

Racing continues tomorrow in the last day of the Semi-Finals, with the top
56 sailors then continuing on the Finals. The World Championship is decided
on the total of scores from the Semi-Finals and the Finals.

www.hobileworlds.com