Day 1
Alameda, CA (August 22, 2023):
34 teams registered for the 2023 Hobie 16 North American Championships in Alameda, CA. Weather conditions improved from yesterday after Tropical Storm Hilary had winds of 30 knots on the race course. This meant all the practice racing had to be cancelled.
Conditions changed rapidly for the first day of racing with slowly building winds, starting at seven knots that slowly built to 13 knots by the end of the day. These conditions allowed for five great races on San Francisco Bay. The fleet was very tight all day and getting stuck in the pack was easy to do but hard to dig out of.
Ben BROWN/Casey BROWN (USA) lead followed by Dan BORG/Sarah KRAFT (CAN) in second and Peter NELSON/Emily JENNERICH (USA) in third.
Day 2
Alameda, CA (August 22, 2023):
Three more races on day 2 of the Hobie 16 North American Championships. After a postponement of the water waiting for the wind, it finally settled enough for the races to begin. The breeze built all day to 14 knots for the final race of the day. All races were IHCA Course 6 which is S A,C,A, C, and finish upwind. This is not the most common course being a windward finish as most finishes are downwind. This meant many sailors looked at the course sheet to see what this course was.
In the lighter winds, the right-hand side of the course was slightly favoured as this was closer to shore and the marina. Giving a land influence to the breeze. Once the breeze strengthed it removed the land influence with an even race course.
The leaderboard from yesterday remains unchanged though Dan Borg and Peter Nelson are both tied for second on 26 points.
Ben BROWN/Casey BROWN (USA) lead followed by Dan BORG/Sarah KRAFT (CAN) in second and Peter NELSON/Emily JENNERICH (USA) in third.
Day 3
Alameda, CA (August 22, 2023):
Three more races today in gusty stronger winds with winds around 20 knots.
This caused a change in the leaderboard with Michael Evans /Jesse Stevenson moving up to third. Overall leaders Ben and Casey Brown continue in their winning way with three first places today.
Ben BROWN/Casey BROWN (USA) lead followed by Dan BORG/Sarah KRAFT (CAN) in second and Michael Evans /Jesse Stevenson(USA) in third.
Day 4
Alameda, CA (August 22, 2023):
Three more races today to conclude the Hobie 16 North American Championships for 2023.
After yesterday’s stronger winds the breeze eased. This left a lumpy confused sailing area area with shifty winds.
Well done to all the sailors who enjoyed the week of racing. The conditions varied throughout the week.
Podium:
Ben BROWN/Casey BROWN (USA) lead followed by Dan BORG/Sarah KRAFT (CAN) in second and Michael Evans /Jesse Stevenson(USA) in third.
