PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay is home to two of the world’s top sailors who recently proved their mettle when they brought home the title in the exclusive Hobie World Cat regatta in Germany.
Blaine Dodds (59) and his daughter Roxanne (32) were one of 10 teams from across the globe to participate in the six-day event held in Sylt in the North Sea. It is an invitational competition and teams are selected based on their Hobie 16 class rankings in their respective countries. The pair represented South Africa.
“It was one of the toughest fleets in the competition’s history, but it was a lot of fun,” the veteran sailor says.
He adds that what made the victory even sweeter was that he could do it with his daughter by his side. “I sail with both my children and it is a very special experience to be able to do that.”
Blaine says he and Roxanne work very well together. “It is imperative for team-mates to be able to work together.”
He says the key to their success this year, and in most competitions, is consistency. “I’m usually a strong finisher. I don’t go into a race focusing on winning and then get bogged down with the stress that comes with that outlook. I sail around the challenges and make sure that I focus on the task at hand on each sailing day.”
He explains that the two of them were slightly heavier than the rest of the competition. Although this hampers their performance in good sailing weather, it works to their advantage in windier and choppier conditions.
“The sailing conditions in Sylt are very similar to what we have at home.”
Both Blaine and Roxanne have many years of sailing experience under their belt. Blaine has been sailing for 45 years and Roxanne for 19 years. “She started sailing when she was only 13 years old.”
Over the years they have raked in many titles including multiple SA championships in various classes: Hobie 16 World championship, three Master World championships and many podium positions in different classes.
Blaine sails with his son Peter (29) in the Tiger class.
Read a previous article: Meet the world's new hobie champs - from Plett
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