Snipe Western Hemisphere & Asia Championship - Preview
by International Snipe Class 12 Mar 2023 17:20 PDT
March 14-19, 2023
Snipe Western Hemisphere & Asia Championship © Matias Capizzano
Thirty-five teams representing 7 nations will be on the starting line in Algarrobo, Chile to contest for the Snipe Western Hemisphere & Asia Championship March 14-19.
The Hayward Western Hemisphere Championship has been contested for since 1950, held in the non-World Championship years and has such names engraved on the trophy as Dr. Clement Inclan, Ted Wells, Augie Diaz, Jeff Lenhart, Santiago Lange and the Paradeda brothers to name a few. Returning WHA champions include Raul Rios (Puerto Rico), Ernesto Rodriguez (USA), Pablo Defazio (URU), Ricky Fabini (URU) with a last minute cancellation of Augie Diaz (USA) due to the recent loss of his father. Also missing this year are entries from Japan.
Locals Matias and Constanza Seguel (CHI), who are the 2019 South American champions will be a tough team to beat, sailing in their own waters, as well as current SA champion Luis Soubie (ARG) with 2x winner Rafael Gagliotti (BRA) and Juliana Duque (BRA) who recently won the hotly contested Brazilian Nationals. The WHA will also serve as a country qualifier for 2 nations for the Pan Am Games to be sailed in the same waters October 25-Nov 5, 2023. The Snipe is a mixed dinghy for the Pan Am Games with 21 of the teams registered as mixed.
Conditions for the regattas look ideal with 8-20 knots forecasted over the week of competition. "We are very excited to welcome all the teams to Algarrobo to contest this Championship with the best from the Snipe Hemisphere," Alberto Prieto, Regatta Organizer stated.
Competitors have begun registration and measurement with a practice race on Monday. Racing begins on Tuesday, March 14 with 2 races scheduled per day with the final day on Saturday, March 18.
The regatta can be followed on the Championship website: wha.snipechampionships.org for results and additional information with photos by Matias Capizzano.
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The Snipe is a 2-person dinghy that brings the well-balanced Class motto "serious sailing, serious fun" to life at every regatta. The Snipe is raced in 32 countries across the globe and holds championships for juniors, women, masters and mixed teams.
For more information: www.snipe.org.