MAY 6th

Women & Youth - RACE 3

At 10:30 am, with clouds jelously covering the sky, the second day of race begun. The competitors seemed more prepared for the race than yesterday.

There was one general recall. The winds of 10 knots at 60 degrees, seemed to privilege more the boat number 7 of the Youth category, who led the entire race. Waves were less than 1 meter. Most boats favoured the left side of the course as there is less current up that side. The Race Committee has some challenges anchoring the committee boat as the bottom goes from 100 ft to over 800 feet in a very short distance. Traditionally, the winds are more from the east (90 degrees). When the wind is from a more northerly direction it becomes a challenge for both the race committee and racers alike.

In the Women category, the team of the boat number 51 showed us their hability, having a commanding lead half way through the race.

Women & Youth - Race 4

The Youth had the first start in the second race of the day just before noon. With winds from 60 degrees and about a 1 meter chop most took off to the left side of the course again.

In the next five minutes after the start, the R/C (lead by Paul Ulibarri) had readjusted the line length post a new start for the Women. With the same winds as seen by the youths, most followed the track up the left side of the coast, tacking as they approached the reef.

In the second half of the race, the wind dropped a few knots and the R/C has decided to shorted the distance on the ladies course some. While the weather mark boat inflates their 2M mark, the Gate boat signals the change in course for the ladies.

Mexico arose its flag with the triumph of Martha and Pamela Noriega, in the Women Category.

Masters & Grand Masters - Race 3

Now it is time for the Masters and Grand Masters to show their skills in the salty battlefield. A different race from yesterday is being compited, now it is a 2G. The wind also changed, with 15 knots of strength, arising waves of less than 1 meter. Boat 22, from Germany, helmed by Goritz, has come first around the A mark.

By the end of the race, wind got to 20 knots. This was a very exciting race. We had the chance to see multiple pitch poles at the windward mark.

The photographers of the world press fly like motorized seagulls with cameras instead of eyes, in planes not much bigger than a caribbean mosquito (so they don't affect the wind condition). They do not want to miss this great show.

Masters & Grand Masters - Race 4

The day cleared out. Maybe the clouds ran scared when they saw so many cats that could rapidly run on water. 20 knots of wind are still blowing, the masters and grand masters strugle with great difficulty to avoid capsizing. Many, can't help it.

The images that illustrate this note show the manouvers of the sailors in the Mexican Caribbean waters. The magic is in the wind.

Everything ends when the last Hobie crosses the finish line. Now, it's time to pull down the sails and go to rest. Tomorrow is D Day. For this categories, the decisive day.

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Hobieworlds Mexico 2004
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