Day 1 was RC nightmare kind of weather.

Coverage and links here:

http://www.hcana.hobieclass.com/?ID=9803

Mike

Carnage today!!!

No racing today. The wind toyed with us just enough to launch the fleet, but died and we sent them back to the beach.

Mike

Light air on Thursday, we ran one race in the morning, had to send them to the beach, then the breeze picked a steady direction for two more six-knot races, the last one ending just off the beach, under a beautiful sunset.

Friday was nasty. The winds weren't too bad, but the water was incredibly rough. More carnage and attrition, and we called it after three races. Rico broke a comptip, Korz broke a crossbar (then borrowed a boat and got back out for the last race), there was one dismasting and lots of broken tillers, halyards and assorted other calamities. Several standings were shuffled on the leaderboard, and those ashore were anxiously watching and listening to how many more races would be run (and points they were going to get due to sitting out).

Everyone enjoyed the back-to-the-beach approach to the event, and the power boat captains and crews were hooting and hollering the whole time, even offering to follow us to the next event!

Enrique Figueroa (PUR) won the 16s with a string of bullets, Mark Modderman (USA/RSA) was second, with Jason Hess (GUA) in third.

Jim Doty won the 18s, with Paul Evenden in second, and Dan Flanigan in third. Jim and Dan overcame having holed boats to take the podium.

Hats off to Fleet 23, HCA and the countless volunteers who made this such a great week.

Mike

That's just, "Bad Luck" !!
Doesn't Texas usually have Good wind this time of
year; or is that just in South Padre Island ?

Last year they had the Hobie races at my local spot
in Vegas ; lake Mohave blew 30+ for the entire event.
It was Great for me, because i kite boarded so much that
my Legs fell off !!

Bille

That happens sometimes. The weird thing was, we saw either very light or very windy. Winds were either under 6 or over 15, nothing in between all week. I've never seen that before, very very odd.

The high winds weren't really the problem; it was the direction of the wind and its effects on the coastal gulf waters. The bay would have been flatter, but this location and host beach was outstanding.

Mike