Slippery sailing at Hobie North Americans

Yankton, South Dakota (June 20, 2017) – The second day of racing at the Hobie 16 and Hobie 20 North American Championships continued the chutes and ladders theme but with some get-of-jail cards thrown in. There was plenty of opportunity to go from the front to the back or the back to the front.

On the course, positions changed frequently. On-off shifty winds from 5-10 knots with a slow persistent right shift frustrated sailors and race officers alike. The early morning breeze moderated as competitors left the beach resulting in a very unstable breeze. They call this “lake sailing” for a reason.

Despite the shifty frustrating conditions, the standings are very tight in the top ten and the good sailors are figuring it out. In the last race of the day, the wind radically shifted left forcing the entire Hobie 16 fleet into a last minute fire drill as all the teams flipped to port in the final seconds of the start sequence. The forecast for tomorrow is for breeze from a completely different direction, which will be welcomed by all.

In the Hobie 16 fleet, Enrique FIGUEROA/Francesca VALDES (PUR) continue to lead followed closely by Mike MONTAGUE/Kathy WARD (USA). In the Hobie 20 fleet, Mark and Kim ZIMMER (USA) continue to lead followed by George PEDRICK/Gene HARRIS (USA).

Racing continues through Friday, June 23.

Event details – Results – Entry list – Facebook

Source: Rich McVeigh