The 2024 Australian Hobie Championships kicked off with thrilling competition in Series 1, held at the picturesque McCrae Yacht Club on Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. This year, Victoria was honoured to host the event as part of the rotational schedule, and sailors were met with a challenging regatta.
Series 1 featured the Hobie 16 Open, Masters, Grand Masters (G Masters), Great Grand Masters (GG Masters), and Hobie 18 fleets. With 26 Hobie 16s and 4 Hobie 18s on the starting line, the competition was fierce.
A Battle of Champions in the Hobie 16 Fleet
The Hobie 16 fleet delivered edge-of-your-seat excitement, showcasing the immense talent of Australia’s top sailors. All eyes were on Cam Owen and Suz Ghent, the reigning Hobie 16 World Champions and European Champions, who entered the regatta as clear favourites. However, competition remained tight, particularly from fellow Western Australians Darren Smith and Claire Bisgood, who consistently challenged the leaders and kept the pressure high throughout the series.
Adding to the mix were Victorian contenders Fletcher Warren-Myers and Georgia Warren-Myers, who were determined to defend home waters with strong performances. As the regatta progressed, the leaderboard shifted frequently, and the title remained undecided until the final day of racing.
Smith and Bisgood delivered an extraordinary performance, clinching victory in six consecutive races and winning seven out of the fifteen. Despite this dominant display, Owen and Ghent’s remarkable consistency ultimately secured them the overall title.
Tight Racing in the Hobie 18 Class
The Hobie 18 fleet may have been smaller in numbers, but the competition was no less intense. Jake de Rooy and Alannah Simpson emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle with Scott Kesteven and Tom Fripp. The rivalry between the two teams unfolded throughout the regatta, with de Rooy and Simpson holding off the competition by the narrowest of margins.
Kesteven and Fripp ultimately edged out Kerrie Driver and Robin Fleming by just two points, underscoring how closely matched the Hobie 18 fleet was throughout the championship.
Looking Ahead to Series 2
As Series 1 concludes, competitors now look forward to a brief break over New Year’s Day before returning for Series 2. The next instalment promises even more excitement as the Hobie 14 and Hobie 16 Women, Youth, and Open divisions take to the water.
Stay tuned for updates and results as the action resumes in Series 2 of the Australian Hobie Championships!
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