Hobie 16 Worlds Jervis Bay - Current

Hobie 16 World Championships, a massive success!

tony — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 02:52:16 +0000

After one and a half years in the planning, and with a 38 year legacy to uphold, Hobie Cat® Australasia has successfully held the world’s largest Hobie 16 World Championships in Jervis Bay, NSW Australia.

This global event, which was supported by The Hobie Cat Company World-Wide, The Shoalhaven City Council and Destination NSW, saw 901 Athletes from 24 countries travel from across the globe to Huskisson in Jervis Bay to compete in the 16 day regatta.

Hobie Cat Australasia built the 60 Hobie 16 catamarans sailed in the event, and Hobie staff and a crew of volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the event went off without a hitch.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, congratulated Hobie Cat Australasia on hosting the hugely successful event.

“The Hobie 16 World Championships was a major regional event on the 2014 NSW calendar, and the NSW Government is incredibly proud to have supported it through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.”

Mayor of Shoalhaven City Council, Joanna Gash, said: “Hosting this event was a tremendous coup for the local area. I can think of no more scenic backdrop for such a prestigious event than the beautiful surrounds of Jervis Bay, and it was great to see competitors, officials and spectators make time to explore the Shoalhaven during their stay.”

Five Hobie World Champions were crowned across five classes during the regatta. South Africans William and Lucinda Edwards took out the Hobie 16 Masters, Australians Rod and Kerry Waterhouse from NSW claimed the Hobie 16 Grand Masters title, Bella Zanesco and one time Jervis Bay local Jesse Dobie picked up the Hobie 16 Women's crown, and Daniel Bjornholt and Felix Grech took the Hobie 16 Youth title home to Denmark.

Gavin Colby and Josie Mark from Western Australia ultimately took the top prize in the Hobie 16 Open class with a 38 point lead over fellow Australians Cam Owen and Susan Ghent in second place and incumbent world champions Jerome Le Gal and Marco Iazzetta from New Caledonia who finished third.

Originating in Hawaii in 1976, the Hobie 16 World Championships are a One-Design class event that tests the skills of the world’s best twin hull catamaran sailors over 16 days in identical Hobie Cat 16 catamarans. The catamarans are rotated through the teams randomly to ensure no one boat and team ever has an advantage.

With the race won and beach back to its original pristine state, organisers are looking forward to the announcement of the 21st Hobie 16 World Championships, to be held in 2016.

Category:

Current

The Final 56 vie to be crowned World Champion

tony — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:16:53 +0000

Last night there were both cheers and tears as the fleet was cut and our 56 Hobie 16 World Championship finalists were named. While there were commiserations for some, there wasn’t too much celebrating for our finalists as there was some pretty serious work to do this morning! It’s day one of the finals!

Racing kicked off on schedule with mild temperatures and winds filling in as expected, early in the day. We saw a nor’ easterly of 10–15 knots set the pace in the morning, freshening to 25 knots later in the day.

The top three going in to the finals, Jerome Le Gal and Marco Iazzetta from New Caledonia along with Aussies Cam Owen and Suzzi Ghent and Swedes Tim Shuwalow and Nina Curtis had their work cut out for them today with a total of 5 races to get through it was going to be anything but easy.

Read the full report below.

Category:

Current

Boats Are On The Water For Race 1 Of Open Finals

tony — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 00:05:15 +0000

Boats are out on the water for race 1 of Hobie® 16 World Championships Open Finals on Jervis Bay. With winds from the NNE at 14 to 17knots, Jervis Bay is turning on its charm for 56 sailors who made it into the finals. A maximum temperature of 23⁰C is expected. Perfect condition for a Hobie 16 World Championship final. Stay tuned for reports, results and photos.

Category:

Current

Hobie 16 World Championship Semi Finals. Who will make the top 56?

tony — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 08:26:16 +0000

With six races completed yesterday, the pressure was anything but off this morning, as today, the last day of the semi-finals, was the day to make it count. Tonight the fleet will be cut to the top 56 competitors all vying for glory in the Hobie 16 World Championships finals starting tomorrow.

With sun and temperatures in the high 20’s plus a nor’easter running 10–20 knots, Jervis Bay couldn’t have done much better by our sailors today. Winds got up by around 9:30 and sailors scrambled to get on the water, all vying for the best spots on the starting line in what was set to be a great day of competition.

Read the full report below.

Category:

Current

Hobie 16 World Championship: Semi Finals - Day 2

tony — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:14:40 +0000

As we moved into day two of the Hobie® 16 World Championships, anticipation turned to hope and then fear as first impressions of the day’s winds appeared as though a repeat of the yesterday’s still conditions was on the cards. People stayed positive and 112 pairs of crossed fingers seemed to do the trick as the wind filled in and almost on cue, Jervis Bay delivered another sensational days sailing!

Winds began to fill in around 8:30 with sailors scrambling to get themselves prepped and on to the beach as the first boats went out at 9:00 for a 9:30 start. Race officials once again set a downwind (1GO) course that was maintained throughout the day in conditions so good a total of six races were turned around, sailing well into the early evening.

Read the full report below.

Category:

Current

Light winds postpone today's sailing

tony — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 07:43:25 +0000

After the excitement of last nights cut party the anticipation was high today. That anticipation grew as the sailors waited patiently for the wind to arrive but at three o clock the race officials decided to call it a day postponing the days racing until tomorrow. That didn't stop the competitors enjoying themselves on the beach, with some stand up paddle boarding, snorkelling, beach volleyball or just lounging around and enjoying a bit of a break before things get serious.

Hopefully the weather gods smile on Jervis Bay tomorrow and bring with them some good winds, with forecasts of 6-12 knots from the East tomorrow, we will just have to wait with fingers crossed and see.

Category:

Current

Day 1 Hobie Open Semi Finals

tony — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 04:25:59 +0000

Racing for day 1 of the Hobie Open semi-finals has been postponed with no races sailed due to a lack of wind. Racing will resume tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned for photos and a video on how a great day was spent as we waited for the wind.

Category:

Current

Images():

from_adrians_plane.jpg

Hobie 16 Open Series Qualifiers. Who will make the cut?

tony — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 07:00:01 +0000

The event arena was charged this Monday the 10th of 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!

Read the full report below.

Category:

Current

Hobie® 16 Open Series Qualifiers Day 2

tony — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 07:27:36 +0000

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 Hobe 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.

Check out the full race report below.

Category:

Current

Hobie® 16 Open Series Qualifiers Day 1.

tony — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 07:07:25 +0000

With three World Champions crowned yesterday it was time to start afresh with the qualifying rounds of the Hobie® 16 World Championship Open series kicking off today. 188 competitors are vying for a spot in the Semi-Finals where the field will be whittled down to the top 112. Check out the full race report below.

Category:

Current