Today's Race Report
Women's Hobie 16 World Championships
Tuesday, February 27th, Day 1 of 3
Results Home Page | Report | Regatta standings as of today
Dubai (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES): More than 600 international sailors have descended on the Arabian Gulf city of Dubai for the biggest world championship ever to be staged in the field of Hobie Cat 16 sailing.
Over 300 two-person crews from 56 different countries have arrived in the United Arab Emirates for an 11-day sailing festival which will determine four world championship crowns. Defending champions Aaron Worrall and David Sylvester of Australia will head the field in the Open Championship, while in the Women's event few are looking past fellow Australians Kerry Ireland and Jenny Dickson for the eventual winners.
Championship titles will also go to the top Masters and Grandmasters in an event which has far surpassed anything ever seen in the 20-year history of Hobie Cat 16 World Championships.
Sponsored by the Dubai Ports Authority, the competition has attracted a record number of entries thanks to the assistance and free accommodation offered by the host Dubai International Marine Club. To be staged in the warm blue waters of the Gulf off the Dubai coastline, the championships will see around eight races a day as the huge turnout forces non-stop sailing in the 60 identical Hobie Cats supplied by the organisers.
The Germans lead the way with 54 crews, while South Africa on 34 and Italy (26 crews) are also well represented. Among the countries with a lone crew flying the flag are Canada, Paraguay, Finland, Spain and Japan. The competition starts today (Tuesday) with the Women's World Championship.
Sorry we're a bit slow getting going on results and reports. Getting through the UAE phone system took a bit longer than expected. All under control now, and provisional results should appear daily from about 7pm local time, which is 3pm GMT.
The first day saw Kerry Ireland take a commanding position with three firsts and a third in ideal conditions. Races started about half an hour later than scheduled due to the wind taking a while to settle down.
Conditions here are generally an offshore wind in the early morning, and then clocking around to be a stronger onshore sea breeze around 11am. Like a few competitors, the wind was a bit late this morning and didn't settle down till a bit after 1pm. Even so, a 30 degree wind shift in the first race move the places around.
The wind settled down to a 12 - 14 knots of steady sea breeze with only slight seas. With the air temperature at a comfortable 25 Celcius conditions proved to be perfect. The Race Committee set windward/leeward courses with a gate at the leeward end, and also the start/finish line, giving spectators on the shore and the breakwater and excellent view of the action, as this end of the course was only about 50 metres off the shore. With sun lounges and waiter service from the beach club bar, it proved a popular spot.
The rear of the Dubai International Marine Club has a large paved area which has taken the form of a tent city. With over 600 competitors and friends taking up the option of free tented accomodation, this is going to see some serious action when all competitors arrive later in the week. The German and South African teams both wanted their own tent, and the two largest tents are reserved for these countries. A sense of humour and not too much modesty will be required to survive till the end of the week in these large tents.
There are three couples who chose to to honeymoon in the tents, and they have received special attention from the DIMC. No doubt the other members of tent city will also give them special attention.
The DIMC has done a great job of providing for the non-sailor or sailors who find themselves with a bit more time than they expected. There are camel rides (I received my official camel driver's license this afternoon) and also go-carts, and other various activities available.
Until tomorrow, God and phone systems willing ......