Sailing: High winds catch out Hobie Cats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sailing
STUART ALEXANDER
reports from Dubai
Ambulances carried five injured yachtsmen from the beach as the Hobie Cat 16 World Championships semi-finals began in high winds here yesterday. There were no injuries among the three British boats, but a United Arab Emirates crewman broke his wrist and a New Zealander suffered a suspected broken leg.
Best British result of the day was by Matthew Eeles, scoring a third place with crew Philip Hildyard. Mark and Victoria Farrow managed a 10th, but Stephen Park and Ruth Verrier-Jones, who came second in the qualifiers, slumped to 41st.
Blustery conditions prevented racing in Miami yesterday, allowing repair work among the Star class competing in the Bacardi Cup, which doubles as the second series of trials for the British Olympic team place.
On Sunday, the scrutineer there, Bryn Vaile, decided that the first race could go ahead as there was no more than the maximum 16 knots blowing at the start. Any more and it would not have counted. That soon piped up to 20 in a race won by Paul Cayard and in which Glyn Charles was for a long time third.
He and George Skoudos finished sixth, but Lawrie Smith and Chris Mason, who was leading after the first trial in Miami at the end of January, was 18th and those 12 extra points were enough to put Charles within four points. When each discarded his worst result, Charles went into the lead by two points.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments