2006 Western Hemisphere Championship, Miami, FL, USA

photo by Fried Elliott

October 26, 2006

With 6-12 knots for the final day of the Snipe Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship, the Uruguayan team of Pablo Defazio/ Eduardo Medici were able to overcome early event leaders Bruno Bethlem/ Dante Bianchi (BRA) for the overall win. The Brasil team did fare well for themselves, with Bethlem/ Bianchi in second, Alexandre Paradeda/ Pedro Tinoco (BRA) in third, Augie Diaz/ Mark Ivey (USA) in fourth, and Carlos Wanderly/ Richard Zietemann (BRA) in fifth.

Visit the regatta site at http://www.snipewho2006.org for information and results. Also, take a look at more photos by Fried Elliott

October 25, 2006

Day 3 proved to be a good day for Uruguay and USA. Uruguyans Pablo Defazio and Eduardo Medici, coming off a Pre-Pan Am win last week in Rio, dominated the day in moderate breezes of 8-15 knots. Posting finishes of 1-2-3, the duo has moved into striking distance of regatta leaders Bruno Bethlem and Dante Bianchi (BRA) who sailed a 6-4- and their drop of a 21st for the day. Americans Augie Diaz and Mark Ivey moved into gear on home waters with a 2-3-4, moving them into 4th overall. Third place overall, Alexandre Paradeda and Pedro Tinoco (BRA) sailed a 9-5-9 for the day including some penalty circles.

The competitors found the right side favored all day with a few venturing out to hit an occasional lefty. Fresh breeze on the morning race slowly died throughout the day with the last race held in 8 knots.

Japanese speedsters Akira Setoguchi and Teruhito Fujita were looking good until an OCS in the last race. They were not alone with 7 others being caught over early.

Tomorrow schedule could include 3 races before the 2pm cut off, so anything could happen. The forecast is predicted with increasing temperatures and the same or lighter breezes.

October 23, 2006

After a 2 hour postponement on shore, the 2006 Snipe WH&O Championship got underway in a solid 6-8 knot breeze on Biscayne Bay. With numerous former and current world champions on the roster, the competition is stiff with action fast and furious on the water.

After 2 general recalls, the fleet of 43 representing 7 countries got underway under a Z-flag. A clean start and the group was off burning up the first beat. Japanese sailors Takuma Takesue and Kazuhiro Ito led the race and extended their lead throughout the windward-leeward course. Fellow countrymen Kenji Abe and Hiroshi Yamachika retained 2nd place until mid-way through the race when Pan Am champion Bruno Bethlem with Dante Bianchi crewing, passed them and started honing in on the leaders. Hitting a left shift on the final beat, Bethem/Bianchi crossed Takesue/Ito and covered to the finish taking the bullet for race 1.

The Brazilian navy posted a strong showing with 4 in the top 10. Top US sailors were Ernesto Rodriguez/Leandro Spina 8th, George Szabo/Alan Cappelin 10th.

Racing continues tomorrow with the expected cold front arriving bringing cooler temperatures and stronger breezes.