May 11

Hobie 16 Worlds semi-finals day 2

The fleet was again racing in marginal double trappezing conditions Tuesday with steep waves. Race one and two went off without a hitch, but the groups racing in race three had a much tougher time. Race three was plagued by general recalls, postponements (while waiting for the wind to increase) and an abandonment. The race was not completed until some five hours after the boats left the beach. As a result race four for the day was not completed until 6:00 at night and, needless to say, the race committee’s goal of getting in five races today was not met. Racing in the semi-finals will continue tomorrow (Wednesday).

Gavin Colby and Simone Mattfield from Australia are in the lead at the moment. When asked who his competition was for the championship Colby responded that he wasn’t focused on anyone else. His goal was just to continue to get good starts and top five finishes in the races. In that regard the Australians faltered a bit today with a 21 in the second race today, which at this point they are throwing out.

Colby and Mattfields teammates from Australia, Worrall and Seibold, are in second but have also sailed a bad race, a 31.

Right behind the Australians in third is the youth team from Guatemala, Maegli and Lopez. The Guatemalans have the advantage at this point with a 10 as a throw out.

For complete reults: http://www.hobieworlds.com/h16-2004/default.asp