WORLD champion, the legendary Blaine Dodds, took the honours in this year’s edition of the Hobie 14 Nationals hosted by Point Yacht Club over the Easter long weekend, adding one more to his tally of 37 other national Hobie titles.
Dodds ended his four days with a total of 10 points after ten races, with two race discards. The Plett sailor ended in a podium position in every race, notching up six first spots, three seconds and a third.
Pushing him all the way was Garth Loudon who after a challenging start to the regatta, dug deep and sailed fantastically. His regatta improved considerably and he entered the last day only one point behind the world champ, and finished in second in the final four races.
“Dodds is amazing; he is meticulous in everything he does on the water! It was incredible being able to sail against him,” Loudon said when back on land.
Another local entry that sailed phenomenally was Peter Hall who ended his regatta in third place. “It was a seriously awesome regatta. The weather dished up a bit of everything, from light switchy winds, to some generous swell and breeze where we had to knuckle down hard and hang on. The local team did well, with six of our guys finishing in the top ten. All in all, I think everyone enjoyed themselves.”
On Good Friday the fleet of 43 Hobies ventured out in a North Easter with a choppy sea. Race Officer for the event, Kevin Bingham managed to get in three races as the sea state worsened as the wind speed built. Day two of the regatta saw the ocean all churned up from hours of the North Easter blowing, but no wind to assist the fleet, so Bingham patiently waited but eventually called off racing late on Saturday afternoon.
Easter Sunday greeted the sailors with a gorgeous day, but little wind. Racing only got underway in the afternoon. Towards the end of the day, a perfect South Wester built and Bingham opted to get in two quick windward leeward races. The final day of racing got underway with the predicted wind arriving just as the first race got started. A number of the younger and less experienced helmsman battled with the conditions, keeping the rescue boats busy. By the last two races, only the able seamen were left, and the fleet had whittled down to only fifteen catamarans.
On the junior front, two up-and-coming lads, both from Durban impressed. Dylan Albert and Jethro Brophy – Tintinger were right up there throughout the regatta. Albert started his Nationals off with a fourth, and finished third in the sixth race. He ended his regatta in seventh overall. While Brophy – Tintinger battled to capitalise on his great starts where he was right up at the top of the fleet, the youngster ended one place behind Albert in eighth overall.
