Another beautiful day in Jervis Bay NSW has seen plenty of action on the water. The 112 competitors all vying for a spot in the Hobie Open series finals returned to the water for the completion of Race 2 and 3 in the qualifying rounds of the Hobie 16 World Championship Open series.
Race officials set a downwind (1GO) course for all three of the days races before the mid afternoon nor’easter in excess of 25 knots ended up closing out competition for the day.
In race 2B it was New Caledonians, Lucas Chatonnier and Manon Legras (NC) first off the line and around the windward mark before Jason Waterhouse and Bridget Waterhouse of New South Wales (AUS) passed them at the gate and carried on to take the finish. The New Caledonians took second and West Australians Paul Galloway and Georgia Ryan (AUS) came from 7th at the gate to take third across the finish line.
Race 3 kicked off quickly to take advantage of the mornings conditions and saw a strong start from Queenslander Shane Peterson and German crew Lena Gauthier (AUS). Enguerrand Thomas and Cyriaque Thomas (NC) took the lead at half way and held it to the finish pushing Peterson into second while the Tahitians, Michel Le Calvic and Nicolas Champ (TAH) came in third.
It was Australia for the top three positions in race 3B with Taylor Booth and Chris Barnes from New South Wales (AUS) and Victorians, James Wierzbowski and Pip Pietromonaco (AUS) battling it out for the top spot. Ultimately, it was the New South Welshmen that took the prize. James Wierzbowski and Pip Pietromonaco held on to second and the West Australians, Barnaby Houk and Trent Robson (AUS) took home third.
At the end of day 2 the overall standings in the open qualifiers are James Wierzbowski and Pip Pietromonaco (AUS) VIC in first, Jason Waterhouse and Bridget Waterhouse (AUS) NSW in second and Taylor Booth and Chris Barnes (AUS) NSW in third.
