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Congratulations to our 2022 Hobie 16 World Champions, Cam Owen and Susan Ghent from Australia. After a long day of waiting and an eventual abandoned race Cam and Susie took the top spot in an incredibly talented pool of sailors. They were followed by 2019 World Champions Yamil Saba Fuentes & Gonzalo Cendra Falcon (VEN) in second and Darren Smith & Claire Bisgood (AUS) in third with multiple other World Champions filling out the top 10.
The second day of the finals was not to be. Clouds, intermittent rain, and light winds held sailors on shore for the final day. The breeze did fill in afternoon with more rain. The race committee called the fleet off for the final day of racing but shortly after the start of the race, the wind quit again forcing an abandonment.
15 days of racing, 60 races, 353 sailors from 22 countries participated in this event together. For some it their first world championships, others have been to the world championships many times but for all it was a celebration of the Hobie family, that we all have all become part of. There is a certain magic to arriving at the venue with just your personal gear to see 50 brand new identical Hobie 16’s perfectly lined up and ready to sail. This is only due to the generous sponsorship and support of Hobie Cat Europe, La Ballena Alegre, and Club de vela Ballena Alegre.
The 23rd Hobie 16 World Champions are: Cam OWEN/Susan Ghent (AUS) followed by Yamil SABA FUENTES/Gonzolo CENDRA FALCON (VEN) in second and Darren SMITH/Claire BISGOOD (AUS) in third.
Day 1 Finals racing – Building breeze and tight quarters for the first day of the finals. Winds started out on the lighter side but quickly built to 10-15 knots. With the field cut to just the top 48 teams, the fleet was very compact and it was crowded at every mark rounding. It was one of those days where a small mistake didn’t cost you a position – it could cost you 20 positions that you couldn’t get back. The right side of the course seemed to be favored but getting there in the crowd and keeping your lane clear was easier said than done. Five races were completed.
The lead positions shuffled following todays racing with Cam OWEN/Susan Ghent (AUS) taking the lead followed by Yamil SABA FUENTES/Gonzolo CENDRA FALCON (VEN) and Darren SMITH/Claire BISGOOD (AUS).
Day 2 Semi-finals racing – Similar to yesterday, racing for the final day of the semi-finals got underway shortly after 11:00 AM in the offshore breeze. The early race started off in 12 knots of breeze but, it didn’t hold. As the wind got lighter during the race it became shifty. Finding the favored side and managing the shifts became the priority. One race was completed in this session before the wind died and sailors were sent to shore.
Session two sailors were held onshore waiting for the onshore thermal that finally arrived in the late afternoon. This race was a light and lumpy one with oscillating winds of 6-10 knots. Those that picked the correct shift pattern did well but it was easy to make a mistake and lose many places.
Day 2 Semi-finals racing – Racing for day 2 of the semi-finals got underway at 11:00 AM in the offshore breeze. The first session sailors did two back to back races. The first race of the day was sailed in 12 knots with flatter conditions but by the second race the wind began to moderate and this race was sailed in 7 knots of oscillating breeze. Staying in phase with the shifts was the priority.
Following race two, session one sailors were sent in for the boat exchange with the session two teams. By this time, the wind had died and the session two teams were held on shore under postponement. The thermal eventually came and session two got underway later in the afternoon in an onshore southeasterly breeze of 11-13 knots. Two more races were completed in the session giving everyone a total of three. On the water the fleet was quite compacted, keeping your lanes clear and managing your crossings were a priority.
At the end of the second day, the Australians have solid control of the first three places. Darren SMITH/Claire BISGOOD (AUS) are tied with Cam OWEN/Susan Ghent (AUS) for the lead followed by Gavin COLBY/Josephine MARK (AUS). The top Australian teams have been very active training through the winter and their dedication is showing.
Full Results: https://sailingresults.net/?id=81406
https://hobieworlds.com/news/truly-t...ons-champions/