Hobie Fleets Love Wine 'Summer Breeze' Series 2020 at Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club
by Gordon Burgis 15 Sep 2020 23:15 NZST
The RCIYC Hobie Fleet Love Wine 'Summer Breeze' eight race series which started in July came to a close last week in St. Aubin's bay with the last two races in the event deciding the overall results in a highly competitive series for the Hobie Classes participating.
With no fleet racing for over four months due to Lockdown, the series provided a welcome release for crews to get back out on the water to enjoy racing again in a testing mix of conditions ranging from light to fresh winds during the series.
Hobie 16 'A' Fleet
In this the largest class racing, it was the Youth teams who came to the fore with three racing into the top five. It was Ollie Voak crewed by sister Hannah taking the top spot and dominating the class with an impressive five counting first places out of the eight races in the series.
The next two places were taken by the old guard, Grant Neale and Karen La Rose were as consistent as ever with a well deserved second, Gordon Burgis crewed by Kenny Snell and Chloe Swetenham for two races, just edged out Youth team Elsa Swetenham and new crew Randal Jackson by 1 point to take third place.
Another Youth team Leo Marshall and Chloe Swetenham finished strongly in the last two races, posting two second places, giving them fifth overall.
Hobie 16 'B' Fleet
Very close racing in the H16 'B' Fleet with just 1 point separating first and second place. Youth team Tom Hunt and Megan McDonagh just pipped Mark Mound and Russell Boschat to the highest position on the podium.
Hunt and McDonagh enjoyed four first places over the series, Mound and Boschat achieved 3 firsts. Another Youth team Owen Harper and Lucy Dupre were just 2 points behind, providing a credible third spot. Finlay Arenz and Jonathan McDonagh showed good potential by coming fourth after not completing the full counting races.
Hobie Wildcats & Tigers
Racing was very tight in the powerful Hobie 18 spi class. Top spot contenders Adrian Jesson and Paul Martin and Andy Hart and Michael Kinross, both teams were carrying three firsts, they ended the series on equal points in the top position. After countback it was Jesson and Martin who emerged victorious.
Placing third was Simon Martin crewed at different times by Gemma Newman and Steve Longstaffe, a great result for Simon in his first series racing on a Wildcat.
Hobie Dragoons - Junior Class
Another class where only 1 point separated the leaders. The Willett brothers Archie and Jamie triumphed with the lowest score from sister and brother team Juliette and Russell Walton, the racing couldn't have been closer, it was neck and neck all the way through the series with both teams posting three first places along the way.
Luke Paxton Garnier crewed by Thomas Allo finished the series strongly with two firsts, but only sailing four rather than five of the counting races restricted their potential for a higher position.
One point behind them was Kyla McDonagh and Eddie Slater who sailed consistently well throughout the series to place fourth.
Due to restrictions on group numbers the prize-giving couldn't be held at the RCIYC but the winners were awarded by Club Rear Commodore Kevin Newman in a short open air presentation at the beach after the last two races in the series had taken place. Thanks were given to the race team, safety boat crews and the Beach Officer.
Love Wine were also thanked for their continuing sponsorship and much appreciated support of the event.
Hobie 16 'A' Fleet (top 6):
1st Ollie Voak & Hannah Voak
2nd Grant Neale & Karen Larose
3rd Gordon Burgis & Kenny Snell/Chloe Swetenham
4th Elsa Swetenham & Randal Jackson
5th Leo Marshall & Chloe Swetenham
6th Aaron Le Cornu & Rachael Smith
Hobie 16 'B' Fleet (top 3):
1st Tom Hunt & Megan McDonagh
2nd Mark Mound & Russell Boschat
3rd Owen Harper & Lucy Du Pre
Hobie Wildcats & Tigers (top 3):
1st Adrian Jesson & Paul Martin
2nd Andy Hart & Michael Kinross
3rd Simon Martin & Gemma Newman
Hobie Dragoons - Juniors (top 4):
1st Archie Willetts & Jamie Willetts
2nd Juliette Walton & Russell Walton
3rd Luke Paxton Garnier & Thomas Allo
4th Kyla McDonagh & Eddie Slater
Other event recognitions:
Most improved Youth Team - Tom Hunt & Megan McDonagh
Best female helm - Elsa Swetenham