18 knots from the North greeted the sailors for the 15th Hobie 14 World Championships at Gargnano, Lago Di Garda Italy. 36 sailors from 11 countries and five continents are in attendance.
The first race started in 18 knots gusting up 23 knots and slightly choppy waters. The choppy water caused some problems for some of the sailors. The defending Hobie 14 champions Arnaud Thieme defense could not have started worse for him. Arnaud capsized .With a lot of races ahead Arnaud will have his work cut out for him.
Race one was won by Broder Diedrichsen from Germany followed by Blaine Dodds of South Africa. Third was former Hobie 14 World champion Thorin Zeilmaker from the Netherlands. Blaine had the lead but capsized on the downwind leg.
Blaine said ‘ I was going downwind and I capsized. The bow just buried itself and it was all over. When I righted the boat I was n fourth pace and managed to just past Fletcher Warren-Myers on the finish line’
In the second race the wind eased to 10 knots with Blaine Dodds winning with Arnaud Thieme in second and Stefan Griesmeyer from Italy in third.
The race committee started a third race but with the wind decreasing the race was shortened. Blaine won the race in shifty conditions to take the lead of the championships.
Check the “H14 Results after Day 1(H14 Results after Day 1)“http://hobie16europeans.com/results/.
For race results, photos and videos, head to hobie16europeans.com to check out all the action!
