Hobie Cat Champs at the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club
by Bill Harris 2 Oct 2003 09:17 BST
20/21 September 2003
A bunch of Hobie 16's at the Channel Islands Hobie championships © Bill Harris
STANDARD BANK OFFSHORE CHANNEL ISLANDS HOBIE CAT CHAMPIONSHIPS
The RCIYC’s Standard Bank Offshore CI Hobie Cat Championships, were held in Jersey over 21st and 22nd September. Eleven boats competed in the Open class whilst the Club's Cadets manned six Dragoons. Hobie16s dominated the Open Class with a Tiger and 15 providing stiff competition.
Opening honours went to Gordon Burgis sailing Pure Energy, ahead of Don Thompson on Vela Bianca. Mick Doleman’s Tiger, Roar Edge, won the following two races whilst Vela Bianca completed a hat trick of second places. Sadly, all but Roar Edge, Vela Bianca and Pure Energy timed out in the third race.
The light conditions did not faze the Dragoon fleet. Emma Voak on Half & Half took the first race ahead of Rhiannah de Carteret on Orchid. Rebecca Rice on First Up settling for third although winning the second race convincingly from Jamie Riddock on Runrig.
In very light conditions, Vela Bianca won the first race on Sunday afternoon from Roar Edge. The Tiger proved unstoppable from this point and won the final two races to clinch the Championship. Vela Bianca fought back but had to settle for two seconds.
First Up won the first Dragoon race whilst Emilie Harris took second on Eric Young with Orchid third. The second and final race was a frustrating experience particularly for the crew of Eric Young who having led the whole way round the course were put about on the line, letting Half & Half slip through to take the race. Orchid finished second whilst Eric Young came home a frustrated third.
This proved to be a memorable Championship, the winners having to fight all the way for their places on the podium.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Helm | Crew |
|---|
| Hobie Fleet 386 - Open Class |
|---|
| 1 | Roar Edge | Mick Dolman | Damian James |
| 2 | Vela Bianca | Don Thompson | Eddie Luce |
| 3 | Pure Energy | Gordon Burgis | Ken Snell |
| 4 | Salty Bean | Simon Swain | Maureen Swain |
| 5 | Fly-Bi | David Carter | Simon Le Huray |
| RCIYC Hobie Dragoon Class |
|---|
| 1 | First Up | Rebecca Rice | Rory Rice & Winnie Rice |
| 2 | Half & Half | Emma Voak | Emily Hart |
| 3 | Orchid | Rhiannah De Carteret | Laura Voak & Matthew Dale |