RCIYC Hobie Fleets Love Wine 'Summer Breeze' Series
by Gordon Burgis 24 Sep 2019 02:45 NZST
The RCIYC Hobie Fleets Love Wine 'Summer Breeze' series came to a close recently. The last two races were held in somewhat lively sailing conditions, with the wind gusting to 26kts at times, the two crew Hobie teams experienced exhilarating but fast and challenging sailing as they raced in St Aubin's bay, an offshore wind provided a flat sea enabling the last event to take place.
The racing was a fitting finale to an excellent Summer series where 26 boats were entered in the various Hobie classes. The 12 race series which started in early May produced mostly light to moderate wind over the period with the last two races proving an exception. Prize Giving took place at a well attended BBQ on the RCIYC Sun Terrace in the afternoon.
Hobie 16 'A' Fleet
In this the largest class entry, three teams were in the mix for the top podium position, Aaron and Zoe Le Cornu, Grant Neale and Karen Larose and Gordon Burgis and Kenny Snell, with the result depending on the final two races. Racing was close and competitive throughout the series with these teams achieving consistently good results.
It was the Le Cornu husband and wife team who emerged triumphant, their second in the last race plus consistent second places throughout the series helped cement their winning position, Neale and Larose posted a flying first in the last race which elevated them into second overall, Burgis and Snell sailed into third. Women's team Malin Nilsson and Sandrine Martin put in good performances throughout to finish the series with a well deserved fourth place.
Hobie 16 'A' Fleet
The 'B' Fleet ended up very much a two boat race between Mark Mound and Russell Boschat and Nick Holt and various crew. Both teams enjoyed a combination of firsts and seconds, but it was Mound and Boschat who wrapped up the series with Nick Holt placing second. Peter Culnane and Clive Russell showed promise mixed with solid determination to come third.
Hobie Wildcats & Tigers combined
With both classes on a similar handicap racing together, It was Andy Hart and Mike Kinross on their Hobie Wildcat who edged the hotly contested racing, winning the Hobie 18 event by 3 points from Jimmy Fullerton and Perry Stone racing a Hobie Tiger. Darren Stower and Graeme Monks on a Wildcat were in contention in the races they managed to participate in, placing third overall. Newcomers to the Fleet, Simon Martin crewed Aidan McConville sailed consistently well in their first competitive series on their Wildcat to come fourth.
Hobie Dragoon
The Junior racing in the Dragoons turned out to be very close, with the leader board changing regularly as the series progressed. It was Tom Hunt and Kyla McDonagh who set a fast pace, eventually sealing top spot. Else Blakeley and Lena Holden were hot on their transoms, just one point behind placing second. Brothers Archie and Jamie Willetts are continuing to improve and raced well throughout the series to come third. Will Dengate and Luke Paxton Garnier achieved a satisfactory fourth place considering they weren't able to compete in all the events.
Prizes were presented at the RCIYC Hobie Fleet Summer BBQ where the Race team, Guard boat crews and the Beach team were thanked for their support during the series, appreciation and thanks were also extended to Sponsors Love Wine for once more supporting this major event in the Fleets sailing calendar.