The Hobie Cat races start November 1 -16 on Captiva Island. Please see event website and original press release below. Feel free to pick up a flyer with full event schedule at my Captiva and Sanibel offices.
The International Hobie® Class Association (IHCA), is excited to announce the 22nd Hobie 16 World Championship, 1st November – 16th November 2019, in Captiva Island, Florida, USA. Sailors from around the world will be competing in three world championship disciplines: Women’s, Youth and Open and three additional disciplines; Masters Cup, Grand Masters Cup and Great Grand Masters Cup.
A sponsorship agreement between The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island in Lee County, Florida and the IHCA has been signed. The IHCA has also concluded an agreement with the host hotel, South Seas Islands Resort, Captiva Island, Florida.
The IHCA has expended considerable effort to secure the event and is proud to announce a Hobie 16 World Championships is returning to the USA, after 35 years of events being held in other beautiful locations worldwide.
The Hobie 16 World Championships is the only sailboat class in the world to supply brand-new identical boats, for all competitors to race. Hobie Cat Company will provide the boats that will be used exclusively on the race course located just off Sunset Beach, at the north end of Captiva Island. This ensures that the world champions are the best sailors, not just the sailors with the most expensive equipment.
“We are sure when the Hobie sailors from around the world visit Fort Myers, their beaches and Captiva Island, they will be impressed and keep coming back for their holidays for many years”, said Rich McVeigh, IHCA president.
Doug Skidmore, CEO of Hobie Cat Company, whose team supply and maintain all the boats to ensure the fairest competition for the sailors, is looking forward to bringing the championship back to the U.S. – especially Southwest Florida.
“Fort Myers and the South Seas Island Resort are a perfect location for the Hobie 16 World Championships,” Skidmore said. “The water, white sandy beaches, weather, people and location offer some of the best sailing conditions I have seen. As a company, we are proud to be a major part of these world championships.”
The event information is accessible on the International Hobie Class Association and the Hobie 16 Worlds websites and includes dates, locations, host accommodation and other relevant details for the event. For all information regarding the 22nd Hobie 16 World Championships please visit our website www.hobieworlds.com
We’d like to thank the following sponsors and contributors; The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, South Seas Island Resort, Offshore Sailing School, Liros Unlimited Rope Solutions, Allied Portables, Captiva Cruises, Sunny Island Adventures, Wicked Dolphin Distillery, Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce. Others interested in becoming a sponsor, please email [email protected]