From September 27th to 29th, the 2024 Open Danish Hobie 16 Nationals were held at Thurø, in the picturesque South Funen Archipelago. The event attracted 35 teams from Denmark, Germany, and Norway, making it the largest Hobie Cat 16 DM ever. This record marked a significant milestone for the class and highlighted the strong international commitment to the Danish championships.
Smørmosen – A New Destination
The event took place at Smørmosen Beach on Thurø’s scenic east coast. The location, close to the camping site and the boat park, provided ideal conditions for racing and social activities. The participants stayed in cabins at Thurø Strand Camping, just meters away from the boats and race office, which allowed sailors to focus on the competition while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere.
A Challenging Start on Saturday
Saturday’s races proved challenging for many crews, as gusts of up to 45 knots tested both equipment and sailors’ skills. Despite the harsh conditions, three races were completed, though many boats capsized multiple times. Sailors were sent ashore early in the afternoon when the wind became too severe, but they remained in good spirits, knowing that the day held plenty of camaraderie and fun.
That evening, the sailors gathered for a shared dinner and a fun mini-golf tournament at Smørmosen’s iconic course, with sailors and volunteers joining in. The social gathering created a warm and inclusive atmosphere after a tough day on the water.
Ideal Conditions on Sunday
Sunday morning brought a significant change in conditions. The wind had dropped to 6-12 knots, and the sun shone brightly from a nearly cloudless sky. The moderate wind made for close and exciting races, with many contests being decided at the finish line. Four intense races took place that day, with sailors battling hard to secure their positions.
International Winning Crews
After seven close-fought races, the German crew of Ulf Hahn and Maxi Fuhr celebrated their victory with just 9 points. Danish sailors Nicklas Heide and Olivia Berg claimed second place with 21 points, securing the title of the best Danish boat and gold medals in the Danish Hobie 16 Championship (DS-DM) of Danish Sailing. Third place went to the young German team Frederik Bokelmann and Emma Dreibrodt, finishing with 28 points.
High-Level Collaboration
The event was praised for its smooth organization and professional execution both on and off the water. Thurø Sejlklub, led by Calle Hulthin Sørensen and his team, delivered a flawless event, well-supported by a range of local sponsors.
Middelfart Sparekasse’s Svendborg branch contributed with beverages, t-shirts for the volunteers, and a professional photographer for the weekend. Svendborg Event provided a large pavilion tent for the race office on the beach, while SEAF donated equipment for beach clean-up, ensuring the area remained pristine throughout the event. Car dealership Karvil provided a vehicle, ensuring smooth logistics on land.
Alletiders Partyservice treated participants to hotel-quality breakfast and lunch buffets on both days, and they ensured that all practical details were in place for the social activities. HF Industri & Marine, Palby Marine, and Columbus Marine also contributed with fantastic prizes for the participants, which added the final touch to the successful event.
Thank You to All Involved
A big thank you goes out to all the sponsors, race management, catering team, the many volunteers both on the water and on land, and of course, the sailors, who all made the 2024 Open Danish Hobie 16 Nationals an unforgettable championship.
