Hobie 16 and Hobie Dragoon Europeans - Day 1

by Diana Bogaards on 29 Jul 2007 It was spectacular racing on the first day of the Hobie 16 and Hobie Dragoon Europeans 2007. A total of 66 female, youth and master participants enjoyed the challenging conditions on the North Sea off the coast of ‘s Gravenzande (NED).

They had to deal with a southwester force five, big waves and a strong current. The French team Richards/Kersuzan has a big lead in the provisional ranking of Hobie 16 with spi and so does the British Butler/Sutcliffe in the Hobie Dragoon.

The Sicouri sisters from Italy are leading the women class and Mohr/Wichardt (GER) the masters. All fleets completed four races, followed by the first Hobie barbeque party on the beach.

Hobie 16 with spi: French teams rule the waves

The increased level of youth cat sailing in the Hobie 16 with spi was very obvious. The fleet is well coloured with sponsor stickers, more and more sailors are supported by coaches and the number of protests is rising. Today’s rough conditions and clear skies made it a real Hobie Day, since the Hobie 16’s were originally designed for surfing the waves. The French National Youth Champs Richards/Kersuzan knew how to handle these circumstances and sailed a consistent series of 1-5-1-1.

Richards: 'We had a good boat speed and did not make many mistakes. It was quiet windy with big waves.' They took the lead after the first four races, followed by their fellow countrymen Le Guil/Brée. The Dutch team of Rob Sprij and Sam Frank felt at home and started off with a third and a bullet.

Frank: 'A good start was important today and we positioned ourselves a little bit further from the starting vessel, which was the place to be and every time the left side of the course towards the shore paid off. The current was very strong against us.'

In the last race the Dutchmen were a bit too eager and were early over the line. Sprij: 'We had to go back, so I think we finished tenth.' They are in fourth position overall. Sprij: 'Now I think we must be able to win a medal.'

The medallists of the recently held ISAF Youth Worlds had a difficult first day on the North Sea. The new Youth World Champions Hobie 16 with spi, Richard and Andrew Glover (GBR), did not meet their own expectations. While walking to his cat track, Richard Glover’s face showed his disappointment.

'It was a shit day', was his honest reaction. 'We struggled in the first race, since we did not exactly know where to go. In the third race we finished fourth, which is all right. In the fourth one, we were second at the bottom mark, but then we had a problem with the spinnaker that did not go down. We went back to almost last. This is not an ideal start of the event, but tomorrow we are going to bounce back hard. There is definitely still a chance to be on the podium.'

The brothers are in 9th position overall. The silver medallists of the ISAF Youth Worlds, Emil Landry and Jacob Dannefer from Denmark, were very unfortunate. Their rudder blade broke in the first beat of the second race, which forced them to go back to the beach. They made it to the fourth start.

Landry: 'Our goal was to finish within the top five, but that will be difficult now. It will be hard to reach top ten, but we go for it.' They have to come back from a 24th place.

According to the Danish youth co-ordinator Bo Landry, today’s racing was on the limit for the small guys. Landry: 'The teams that did the ISAF Youth Worlds in Canada have a maximum age of 18. Some of the competitors in this youth event are 21. That is three years of more growth and weight, which makes a difference in these conditions.' Richard Glover does not agree with him: 'Well, it is not really an excuse. We should be winning here.'

Hobie Dragoon: Tired, but happy faces

The Hobie Dragoon youth class sailors had a challenging first day. Waves, strong wind and current made it tough racing for the youngsters. 'It was rough', said Ute Vrijburg, the event’s Race Director and competing with her ten years old daughter Dominique Vrijburg. 'That a girl of that age does this, is just great. It is fantastic to start the Europeans this way.'

Next to the Dutch girls’ boat another family Dragoon got unrigged. Mother Gilla Gabrielsson and son Gustav (12) from Sweden looked a bit soaked, but had enjoyed their first day. Gustav Gabrielsson: 'It was windy, but fun.'

The Swedish Dragoon class is 5 to 10 Dragoons strong. Gilla: 'It is being built up. By the time it is ready, my daughter and son will be too old. They might continue on the Hobie 16.'

Last year’s bronze medallists at the Hobie Dragoon Worlds, Adam Butler (15) and Gilly Sutcliffe (13, GBR), made a clear statement on day one: they aim for the European title.

'It was really heavy', said Butler. 'The conditions were strong.' The boys easily took today’s four bullets. There is not much competition for them, but that does not bother them at all. Gilly with a big smile: 'It is good fun.'

In addition to the leading crew, there is another British team Henson/Amphlett of the national squad of four Dragoon-crews. Their coach Paul Wakelin support them onshore and on the North Sea off the coast of ‘s Gravenzande. The second position is taken by the trio Rowles/Sprij/Karrenbeld. Vrijburg: 'The organization decided it was irresponsible to let the girls sail out together. That is why they have a third crew member, the skipper.'

Top three results

Hobie 16 with spinnaker (35 boats):

1. FRA – Richards/Kersuzan, 9 points
2. FRA – Le Guil/Brée, 20 points
3. ITA – Bissaro/Cesari, 22 points

Hobie Dragoon (9 boats):

1. GBR – Butler/Sutcliffe, 4 points
2. NED – Rowles/Sprij/Karrenbeld, 11 points
3. FRA – Bezile/Le Tallec, 15 points

Women (7 boats):

1. ITA – Sicouri/Sicouri, 8 points
2. AUS – Zanesco/Dobie, 9 points
3. FRA – Passet/Passet, 9 points

Masters (15 boats):

1. GER – Mohr/Wichardt, 6 points
2. GER – Delius/Wiese-Dohse, 7 points
3. GER – Jansen/Jarling, 15 points


The Hobie 16 & Hobie Dragoon Europeans 2007 are sponsored by:

I-Drukker.nl, Carrier Airconditioning, the Greenery, Autobedrijf Schoenmeijer, Vakantiepark Vlugtenburg aan zee, Tomselect, Ernst Olieman BV, Hogenboom vakantieparken, AfvalisHipenSexy.nl, Wealco Systemen BV, Westland Energie Services, ProfMedia BV, Rabobank, Boekestijn Transport Service, De Parel, Center Line, Hoeve de Viersprong, Colour XL, IkSloopGoedkoop.nl, Kwekerij Rozenhof, Ariën Hofman MD, Combifleur, Hobie Cat Holland BV, Westland Workwear, Woodfever, Veenman, Gemeente Westland, Arditio fotografie, Valere ICT Strategies, Vrijwillige Reddingsbrigade 's Gravenzande, Jessica emotions& flowers, Venvo Zonwering and van Spronsen, b.v.