Hobie 16 World Championship – Who will make the cut?
by Steve Fields: Hobie Cat Australasia on 10 Feb 2014
Hobie 16 World Championships 2014 Hobie Cat Australasia
http://hobiecat.com.au/
The Hobie 16 World Championship 2014 event arena was charged, this Monday 10th February, with sailors and spectators alike discussing conditions, sharing tips and talking technique as anticipation filled the air.
Today was the day that split the fleet! With all competitors getting their five races, today is the day when all the hard work pays off! It's game time!
The day started out with a good 6–10 knot southerly and smooth water on Jervis Bay. Race officials set a downwind (1GO) course and the boats got out early to take advantage of the mornings conditions getting the first two races off in time for lunch.
Race 4A
In the first race of the day we saw Vaughan Price and Will Mckensie from New South Wales throw themselves at the line and lead all the way through the second weather mark. Victorians Campbell Weddell and Antje Leifheit were hot on their tail, eventually stealing the lead in the last leg to secure the number one spot.
Price and Mckenzie picked up second and West Australians, Murray Woodhead and Deanne Marsh took third.
Race 4B
A drop in wind for the second race of the day saw the 1GO course length shortened slightly before racing was resumed as planned.
West Australians, Phil Smyth and Markson Reedy(AUS) will be grinning ear to ear as they led wire to wire to take out first. Victorians, James Wierzbowski and Pip Pietromonaco will also be smiling, taking second and leaving them in good shape after a sensational qualifying series while after a short stint in second, Chris Boag and Alisanne Green from Victoria took third.
Race 5A
Winds remained consistent for the remainder of the day seeing course lengths shortened slightly across the last two races.
Nothing would stop fist place getters James Wierzbowski and Pip Pietromonaco (Aus) taking inspiration from race 4 and smashing it wire to wire in Race 5A to secure the top spot.
Second place went to familiar faces, the New Caledonians, Enguerrand Thomas and Cyriaque Thomas (NC) with Paul Darmanin and Lucy Copeland from New South Wales (AUS) taking out third.
Race 5B
Boats were turned around quickly for the final race of the day seeing Tim Shuwalow and Nina Curtis (SWE), Jerome Binder and Deb Muller from New South Wales (Aus), and Victorians Chris Boag and Alisanne Green (Aus) battle it out for the top spots. It was neck and neck at every marker with the end result coming in.
Jerome Binder and Deb Muller (Aus) in first followed by Chris Boag and Alisanne Green (Aus) in second and Tim Shuwalow and Nina Curtis (SWE) taking out third.
Anticipation is still riding high as overall results are to be kept under-wraps until the cut party tonight when it will be revealed who is going to continue their quest for the championship crown and who will have to be content with watching.
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