The Australian Hobie 16 team of James Wierzbowski / Pip Pietromonaco have taken top spot in Hobie World Cat 2014 during the Sylt sailing week, beating the Danish World Champions Daniel and Nicolaj Björnholt as well as the 4 times world champion team of Blaine Dodds / Roxanne Dodds.
After 11 sailed races in the surf off Westerland on Sylt, the Australians had a lead of 9 points before the final Sunday. But on the night before, the weather forecasts suggested that maybe there would be no more races. The confirmation came on the Sunday morning. "The surf unfortunately makes it impossible to get to the race area ieven for our high-class teams. The danger of damge to Sailor and equipment is simply too great," said Jens Hannemann, the organizer of Prosail sail events
On the first day the conditions could not have been better. In one of the most challenging sailing catamarans in the world, 10 of the best Hobie who wanted to compete travelled from 5 continents. After stormy days on the North Sea Island the first problem was to master the surf. The first casualty was the Canadian team who almost immediately capsized and broke the mast. The German team of Stefan Wiese-Box / Susanne Gehrmann, who a week before managed to win the final race of the Super Sail in the same place, showed their skills on the water. However, an early start in the third race prevented a better placement.
On the second day, 4 races were sailed by the Race Committee of the North German Regatta Club. As the regatta progressed it became clear that the team from down under was the one to beat with only equipment damage preventing victory in all races.
On the third day, the teams at the front were again highly motivated to be able to sail. For the team of Dodds / Dodds (RSA), the conditions of Sylt were not so unusual, reminding them of extreme waters. off Cape Town. But as well as the German team or the South Africans sailed, they were unable to seriously challnege Australia.
In the end, Germany could not use of the home town advantage to earn a podium finish, taking fourth place However all participants, especially the teams from Brazil, Australia and India, left a lasting impression. They all have ambitious goals in the future, Asian Games or campaigns for the coming Olympic Games in Rio.
(Apologies for any translation errors! ed.)
Last Modified on 08/09/2014 21:18