Who’s ready for more Totally Immersed fun on and off the water, Team VIC has us sorted!
With 3 months to go until the 24/25 Australian Hobie Cat National Championships is due to commence in glorious fashion, it’s time we take a look at what we’ve got so far.
Across two Series, a grand total of 60 boats have locked in their spot on the start line, with 16 of the helms competing in both series. So, let’s take a deeper dive at the numbers…
Series 1
Taking a closer look at the first Series, there are currently 23 x Hobie 16 teams entered at the time of press. With these current numbers locked in for McCrae, we are already seeing a fleet more than half the size of RQYS’s Nationals last year. Not only that, this fleet is already larger this year’s Victorian State Championships which took place at Anglesea Motor Yacht Club. All we can say is anticipate more…
- Team VIC currently has the most entrants with 11, followed by Team WA with eight, whilst NSW has put the Butler Boys and Upu (PNG) forward with QLD being represented solely by the Pelican and his yet-to-be-named crew.
- The leading Hobie Clubs across have all put teams on the board, with Somers, Port Melbourne and Torquay all putting forward their best. Meanwhile, 16s are making an appearance from Geelong, Ballarat and the return of a hometown hero Krystal Weir with Rowie Gilmore on the front.
- Staying true to the Hobie Family, three teams are currently parent/child combinations, Jono & Kenton are the only siblings entered, whilst six teams are partners in crime, both on and off the water.
- There are currently five lonely skippers who have entered on a Hobie 16, but are awaiting confirmation on a crew.
- In addition to the Hobie 16 teams, there are two Hobie 18 teams entered with more anticipated to join.
Series 2
In Series 2, the introduction of the 14-Turbos in the same series has resulted in a total 33 x Hobie 14s registered, consisting of eight Turbos and 18 x of the original recipe. With the vast majority of skippers have competed in Hobie 14 Nationals since the age of the resurgence, the fleet is set to be at its most competitive.
- Team NSW currently has the most entrants in the 14s, eight helms in the cat-rigged along with three in the Turbos. The Victorians currently have six of their best locked in for the cats, whilst VIC are crowding the start line in the Turbos with four boats locked in. Meanwhile, the Western Australia’s are putting forward four helms in the challenge for State Superiority.
- In the Hobie 16 Youth/Womens fleet, the Morris clan are well and truly set to send it with Emma, Zoe and Matilda all competing in the Womens with their respective crews. One’s to watch out for are Matilda & Abi who are set to back up a State Championship in the Youth/Womens Hobie 16s. Likewise, Lachy & Elisabeth are going for a hat-trick in the Youth Hobie 16s, after two very successful campaigns in Jervis Bay & Bris-Vegas.
- Finally, the Epps duo are backing up another Nationals on the Wildcat, whilst newcomers Henry & Luca are locked in on Dragoon with many yet to join the pair from Somers.
Most notably not in attendance is two-time consecutive Australian Champion in the Hobie 14s, Bryn Robinson-Mills. We can confirm Bryn will be spending a white Christmas in Europe. When asked about the huge decision, here’s what he had to say:
“…”
Ultimately, the Title is well and truly up for grabs…
