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46 knots of wind keep Hobie 16 World Title Challengers off the water
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| Hobie Cat 16 World Championships - 46 knots of wind keep Hobie 16 World Title Challengers off the water |
| PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA-(25-10-2005) On Tuesday October 25th, the Hobie Cat 16 World Championships 2005 started with wind gusts up to 46 knots. The Indian Ocean in the Nelson Mandela Bay looked sunny, but very rough, with high seas. All races were cancelled due to the extreme conditions. Some competitors hung around at the Port Elizabeth Beach Sailing Club and others did some sightseeing in the beautiful South African area. It was supposed to be the first racing day for three classes: fifty-three masters, eleven women and nineteen youth Hobie 16 teams.
Over the last couple of days, Hobie Beach has been transformed into a real Hobie Cat scene, with sailors from all over the world, of all ages and abilities. Sixty brand new 16s are assembled and ready to go. Since 24 hours, all boats had to be dismasted due to the high wind.
Not all youth are competing in the youth class, as several have been drafted as crew for the Masters, due to their light weight. That is why ten-year-old Erich Rickens from Cape Town will race with his father. It is his first World Championship ever: “We just came up for the fun.”
About the Hobie 16 Worlds
The 17th Hobie Cat 16 World Championships started on Tuesday October 25th with a postponement of today’s Women, Youth, Master and Grand Master racing. The competition takes three days until Thursday October 27th, whereafter the three day Open Qualifier begins. The top 112 teams will go to the Semi-Finals from October 31st until November 2nd. The best 56 competitors sail the Finals on the last two days. The Organising Authority is the International Hobie Class Association (IHCA) in conjunction with Worldsports and the South African Hobie Class Association under the authority of South Africa Sailing.
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Source: Diana Bogaards |
