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Catamaran world championship race taking place on Captiva

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Catamarans lined up for the Hobie Worlds championship on Captiva. Credit: WINK News.

The captivating world of catamaran racing comes to Captiva Island this weekend.

The 22nd Hobie 16 World championship catamaran race gets underway on Captiva Friday night.

It’s the first time the event is being held in the United States in 35 years, and sailors entered in the race say they know the competition will be fierce.

There are 60 of the watercrafts entered in the world championship. Organizers say every boat is identical and rigged up the same way, so the race will heavily depend on the skillset of every crew member and each team to win.

There is a watch party welcoming the nearly 300 sailing teams for the race on Captiva. And organizers say every team is expected to bring about $400,000 to $500,000 to the area.

Organizers aren’t worried about red tide for now but will be testing the water every day.

Anyone interested in watching the races can take advantage of spectator cruises every day of the event.

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