The stunning Brazilian island of Ilhabela was the setting for the epic battle that is known as the Snipe World Championship. Hosted only every other year, the Snipe Worlds is a closed event and teams must qualify to attend. Eight sailors from the Miami and Fort Lauderdale joined the 71 boat fleet for five days of top notch racing. Kathleen Tocke, crewing for Brazilian skipper Mateus Tavares, was the highest placing sailor from the Miami fleet, finishing sixth overall and winning the inaugural Bibi Juetz Trophy for the highest placing mixed team.
Taylor Scheuermann sailing with crew Maru Urban started out the event strong with a fourth place in the first race. Two-time Snipe World Champion, Augie Diaz had two top ten finishes with Annapolis crew Lexi Pline. Arthur Blodgett and Charlie Bess, sailing in their first Open Worlds climbed in the results throughout the event, and Peter and Connie Commette long-time team work yielded good results at the beginning and end of the championship.
Fleet member Ernesto Rodriguez, was sorely missed in Brazil. The SSL number one ranked skipper going into the Worlds and 2019 Pan American Games Gold Medalist, was injured three weeks before the start championship. His crew Kathleen found last minute skipper, Mateus Tavares. Ernesto expects to be on the water again in December.
Photos courtesy of Matias Cappizano
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