FijiTimes.com
Josefa Makaba
A POWERFUL performance from the husband and wife team of Shayne and Torika Brodie saw them take second place in the Oceania Hobie Championships which was held in the country recently..
The Brodies, along with veteran sailor Graham Southwick, were all part of the Fiji team which took part in the Oceania and South Pacific Hobie championships.
"The Brodies successful performance proves that there are very talented sailors in Fiji, who can provide strong competition for experienced overseas sailors despite not having exposure to as many competitions as the overseas entrants", said Adrienne Ali, Administrator of Fiji Hobie.
Fiji team coach, Australian Aaron Worrall and crew, Brad "Worsty" Wilson, title holders in the Fiji regattas for the past three years, and Philippine sailors, Maria Vidoeira and Katie Wuori all assisted in organising the ANZ South Pacific Hobie Youth Challenge.
"Hobie sailing is a thrilling sport, full of challenges and excitement, and Fiji is the perfect place for it," Fiji Surfing Association president John Philip said.
The regatta is now on its 7th year ù the Air Pacific Oceania Championships (renamed from South Pacific Championships because of the truly international level of entries).
There are three categories in the Air Pacific Oceania Championships: Open (all ages); Masters (skipper must be over 45 years) and Grand Masters (skipper must be over 55 years and the crew over 40).
Competitors began the two days of course racing at 9.30am on Saturday morning in the bay in front of The Pearl in 20 to 25 knot winds, overcast weather and choppy seas and finished at 4.30pm after 6 races and a break for lunch.
A mystery guest sailor, Mick Butler, whose identity was not revealed until he appeared at the welcome function, joined the competitors for this event.
Mick and his crew, Yu Chan Ting of Hong Kong, are currently participating in the Open category at the 19th Hobie World Championships now being held in Weihai, China from 16-30 August.
Representing Fiji were several local youth teams and several notable sailing figures, including Fiji sailing couple, Shayne and Torika Brodie, the pride of the Fiji Team when they finished second in the Air Pacific Oceania Championships and third overall in the five-day Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge despite a three-year absence from sailing.
"The Brodies successful performance proves that there are very talented sailors in Fiji, who can provide strong competition for experienced overseas sailors despite not having exposure to as many competitions as the overseas entrants", said Adrienne Ali, Administrator of Fiji Hobie.
"The Fiji Yachting Association designated this event as part of the selection criteria for the South Pacific Games so with a year to practice before the South Pacific Games, we're confident the Brodies will win a gold medal."
Philp was a strong contender early in the Oceania Championships but ultimately placed 10th due to his absence on the last day of racing to attend the wedding of his nephew, Tony Philp Jnr.
Grahame Southwick, President of Fleet 252 and a very well-known figure on the domestic and international sailing scenes, won the Grand Masters category of the Air Pacific Oceania Championships and received the Fossil Cup, a skull & crossbones trophy, in person from Andrew "Fossil" Thompson, a long time world renowned who travels to Fiji each year from Papua New Guinea to cheer on the sailors during the regattas.
Southwick suffered a severe setback during the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge, which is an open category only, when his mast collapsed during the race from Treasure Island to Vomo Island and that set him back a few placings to 10th place.
Three local youth teams, the top achieving teams in the ANZ South Pacific Youth Challenge held last month also participated in the regattas and managed to hold their own against some of the overseas teams.
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