Day 3 Hobie 16 & Hobie 20 North American Championships
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Event, Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Day 1 at Hobie 16 & Hobie 20 North American Championships began today in Sausalito, CA
Races started promptly at noon today. Initially it was a bit foggy and the wind was not fully filled in. The course was set just west of Angel Island with the weather mark just to the right center of the Golden Gate. The first race saw winds of 10-20 from the SW. Staying in the breeze was the challenge for the first race. The fog cleared for the second race and the thermal came in. The wind was more stable but also stronger. The third race of the day was in strong wind. Our PRO was only measuring 20ish from his position but it was 25+ at the top of the course. The tide had switched to ebb for the third race substantially increasing the wave action.
Enrique (Quique) FIGUEROA/Christian MAYSONET (PUR) lead the 16 class followed by Francisco FIGUEROA/ Jolliam BERRIOS (PUR). In 20 class George PEDRICK/Gene HARRIS (USA) lead followed by Mark ZIMMER/Kim COOPER (USA).
Day 2 of the 2012 Championships
Racing delivered lake sailing at it's best on San Francisco Bay. The marine layer was weak last night and we had full sun and warmer conditions but not much of a thermal. The sail out of Richardson Bay to the course was painfully slow this morning. There is a mountain at the entrance to the bay and this creates a big hole with no wind that we have to cross to reach the racing area. We can see the wind line but it's really slow getting to it, then you take off. There was a short postponement this morning as the fleet had such a slow sail to the racing area. The course was again set just west of Angel Island with the weather mark near the north tower of the Golden Gate. Winds were again from the west but varied from 3 to 18 knots usually all in the same leg. The gate and start finish boat seemed to often be in a big hole but usually it was windy at the A mark. Finding the wind lanes and staying in them was the challenge of the day. The south side of the course typically had much more wind. The AC45's visited us again today and we got much closer view.
In the 16 fleet Enrique (Quique) FIGUEROA/Christian MAYSONET (PUR) continue to lead with all firsts, followed by Francisco FIGUEROA/Jolliam BERRIOS (PUR). In 20 class Mark LEWIS/Tiffany LEWIS (USA) lead followed by Phil COLLINS/Bev COLLINS (USA).
Day 3
Sausalito delivered 75 degrees, full sun and 15-25 knots of wind. San Francisco Bay provided amazing sailing conditions today with epic views of Alcatraz and the San Francisco city front.. Racing started at approximately 11:30 AM in 15 knots. The wind increased as the day went on with the third race of the day saied in 20-25 knots. We had a strong flood tide all day and starting was a challenge, with most of the fleet dip starting. USA76 from the last cup and AC45 Red Bull visited us on the course today. Competitors all got a close up on the AC45 as they crossed the course.
In the 16 class Enrique FIGUEROA/Christian MAYSONET (PUR) continue to dominate with nine bullets followed by Francisco FIGUEROA/Jolliam BERRIOS (PUR). In the 20 class Mark LEWIS/Tiffany LEWIS (USA) continue to lead followed by Phil COLLINS/Bev COLLINS (USA)
Day 4
Sausalito delivered cool temperatures and strong winds. Racing began at approximately11:30 AM with 54 degrees and 22 knots of wind. The wind quickly increased to 25-30 at the weather mark but racing was close. At one point the second, third and fourth place boats pitch poled and went into a righting race. Mark Modderman was chastising his crew for not getting the righting line out fast enough. Ryan (his crew) responded that he was trying to breathe but Mark pointed out that "breathing was optional, just get the righting line before the boat goes upside down." Only one race was completed today as the wind increased to 30+ after the completion of the first race. The protest committee was in action last night and a few fiberglass repairs were needed, while we socialized at Sausalito Yacht Club.
In the 16 class, Enrique (Quique) FIGUEROA/Christian MAYSONET (PUR) continue to lead with all bullets, Francisco FIGUEROA/Jolliam BERRIOS (PUR) remain in second. In the 20 class Mark LEWIS/Tiffany LEWIS (USA) continue to lead followed by Phil COLLINS/Bev COLLINS (USA).
2012 Hobie 16 & Hobie 20 North American Championships Conclude
Three additional races were completed on the final day of racing in light and shifty conditions with winds from 5-12 and a strong flood tide. Finding the wind and staying in the wind was the challenge. Enrique (Quique) FIGUEROA/Christian MAYSONET (PUR) continued to dominate despite an OCS forcing a return to the start line. Quique and Christian than sat out final race throwing out a DNC. In the 20 class the battle for first was heated with Mark LEWIS/Tiffany LEWIS (USA) match racing Phil COLLINS/Bev COLLINS (USA) most of the day. Mark and Tiffany held their lead wining by two points.
Special thanks to our hosts Sausalito Yacht Club, Hobie Division 3 and Mike Montague for making this event happen.
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