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“With previous World Championships hosted in Canada, Mexico, New Caledonia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates and The Virgin Islands, Jervis Bay is in good company hosting this truly global event.”

Steve Fields Managing Director of Hobie Cat Australasia said: "These are fantastic numbers. With the consistent winds making Jervis Bay one of the world’s top 5 sailing locations, add to that kangaroos and the natural beauty of the Shoalhaven region as well as the whole Aussie small town experience, it's no wonder we're looking at being the World’s largest Hobie 16® World Championships!”

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said: “The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, is delighted to support the Hobie 16 World Championships as part of our commitment to promote Regional NSW events.

“Destination NSW estimates the event will deliver an economic impact of close to $3.4 million. In addition, around 60 of the Hobie 16 Catamarans have been built locally in Jervis Bay, injecting in excess of $750,000 into the local economy before the event even begins,” Mr Souris said.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase said: “The Hobie 16 World Championships will attract local and international visitors and provide the perfect opportunity to showcase the natural beauty and pristine waters of the Shoalhaven area. As the pinnacle competition for this catamaran class in the world, we are thrilled to be hosting it in NSW.”

For more information, please visit: http://www.hobieworlds.com or http://www.visitnsw.com

Good lord that's a lot of boats! That's great.

Are people single handing the 16? Is that why 365 boats equals almost 500 competitors?

The boats are provided by Hobie Cat - there are "only" around 60 physical boats. The entries are restricted because of that.

There are several events being conducted over two weeks - Masters, Grand Masters, Women, Youths and Open. The Open event has three components - qualifying, semi-finals, finals. That's why there are so many entries.

And it's also why you have fewer competitors than 365 x 2. Some competitors are in multiple sub-events.

It's against the class rules to race the 16 in the worlds singlehanded - even if you'd make minimum weight on your own.

Thanks for the info...I didn't think single handing was an accepted racing configuration at that level.

Single-handed only would make an interesting event.

The Single handed Rule ,must be new for this Worlds.I recall at least one guy single handed at the last Worlds in China.

It's fun, I'd guess half my total sailing time was solo on a H16.

It's not new, in that the rule is a few years old, but that "one single guy" wasthe reason the rule was enacted.

He was so slow, he held up the boat rotations. That's not fair to the other competitors, thus the rule.

sorry...I didn't mean to start anything.

You didn't start anything, Jake - just the way it is.

Figures that a guy who weighs enough to make minimum weight (285#) on a 16 - and two fewer hands - is going to be a lot slower than the other teams. Unless your name is Ted Jagger.

No shiz. Ted is amazing on that boat.

Your right Ted Is very good even sailing with crew and they are well over 100 lbs over minimum.
You did not have to weigh 285 lbs,you were allowed to carry 50 lbs of weight to bring you up to min.

Hey Matt,

Did Chris Christensen ever sail solo other than put his H 16 on the roof of his van by himself?

The guy who prompted the rule weighs every bit of 285 - and then some. He refuses to be weighed at major events - because it's pretty obvious he's over minimum.

Ted ruffled some feathers when he sailed the Pan Am trials in 2002 single handed.He was kicking butt until a couple of the top guy went to the higher authorities made sure he was up to min.Unfortunatly for Ted after a long sail in from the course and no water,he was a couple ounces under minimum.Let,s just say if he was not DSQ ,d in all those races ,pretty sure he would have been the Pan Am rep.
Lesson to be learned to all teams weighing in close to min.,drink water and have a few extra lbs of weight on your boat.Very easy to lose 5 lbs on a hot windy day on the water.

That's an unbelievable number of entries from AUS. Good showing from USA and BRA too. Surprised that Europe has so few entries.

Mike

Yea Madge. I only got 90lbs to go then I'll be able to single hand. Deep Fried Twinkies, Pizza-stuffed Pizza, Chocolate shakes for breakfast.......should be fun

Carl Roberts used to sail a Hobie 18 singlehanded with a bag of weight tied to the tramp and won.

We are wrapping up the qualifying round this afternoon. We have 60 boats to keep 56 available for each race. There are 112 teams racing for the 30 available spots in the World Championship.



In the past 11 days we have completed Masters, Grand Masters, Women's and Junior events. Tomorrow 112 teams start racing for the championship. After 3 days we will cut the fleet to 56 and race 2 days for the final.

We have a welcome party tonight with well over 500 expected to attend.

I think that all will agree, this is the best run Worlds ever and highest attendance.

That's amazing, Matt!

Are the Grand Masters results complete/correct? It looks like half of the fleet was DNF for the last race:

http://www.sailingresults.net/site/event/41/overall_2.html?Tkn=185416

Mike