Crews jet in for Hobie challenge

12:58 AM Mon 22 Jun 2009 GMT

'Bruce Tardrew and Sarah Turnbull (AUS) racing in Hong Kong, 2006' Guy Nowell &copy

Overseas crews are flying in to Fiji to compete in the Air Pacific South Pacific Hobie Championships and the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge. Amongst the entries are past and current Hobie world champions, and the regatta will include some of Fiji's most experienced sailors.

The last Hobie World Championships (2007) were held in Suva and from that event we have the current Grand Master (55-years and over) World Champion Kerli Corlette, plus the 2005 World Grand Master Champion Bruce Tardrew as well as the current World Youth Champion Michael McCormick. Also returning is Arron Worral who won the World Championship in Mexico in 1995.

A number of the competitors are regulars here in Fiji. John McCormick, who will be acting as crew for his son, Michael. 'We first sailed into beautiful Fiji in 2001 as a visiting yacht on our Pacific crossing from Panama to Sydney,' McCormick said. 'Michael was 10 back then and quite happy to steer the big boat. We have good memories of Fiji and have been back five times now. We always enjoy the friendly people, hospitality and of course the great sailing'

McCormick enjoys racing with his son. 'Now I get to run shoulder to shoulder on the Hobie and, for a change, Michael is the boss - I just do what I am told!'

Fiji too has some really experienced and successful sailors. Current Fiji number one John Philp was placed third in last year's Suzuki Fiji Challenge. He is being helped by crew and youngest competitor Charlotte Dugdale, aged 13. Graham Southwick is Fiji's most experienced Hobie sailor and is the highest ranked Fiji sailor abroad having won the Australian Grand Masters title recently, and placed third in the Grand Masters at the Hobie World Championships in South Africa in 2005.

Southwick said: 'We always get a good turnout for the South Pacific Championships. Fiji is one of the most beautiful sailing locations in the world. We also have a number of very strong sailors ourselves and the competition is always at a world class level. A number of the Fiji sailors have had international experience in the past year.

'The ANZ Vodafone Fiji Youth squad members Kaveni Natadra, Moape Draumainivesi and Rusiate have raced in Australia, Thailand and San Fransisco recently and are have been putting in the long hours of training each weekend at the National Sailing Centre, Laucala Bay whether it's raining or sunny, light breeze or a 30 knot squall.'

Jerry Rollin will be the Principal Race Officer for the Challenge. He is flying in from the Philippines to oversee the racing and to ensure the events are well run. The South Pacific Championships will be held in Suva on June 26-27, the Fiji challenge will be based at Leleuvia running from June 29-July 3.

www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=124039

by Fiji Times Online