OAK POINT, TEXAS (May 25, 2024) – After three days of tough racing, with conditions from 5 to 25 knots, Puerto Ricans Francisco Figueroa and Faith Payne captured the Hobie Alter Cup. Figueroa and Payne pulled away from the fleet on the third day, winning the last three races of the event to finish with 35 points.
“It’s a special feeling to have our name on the Alter Cup, named after the founder of our Hobie class, along with other great champions,” said Figueroa and Payne. “We are both second generation Hobie sailors, so this win is especially meaningful. We grew up in this sport and we are so grateful for the love and support of our Hobie family throughout the years. It was a flawless event with varied weather conditions every single day testing consistency, patience and overall sailing sense. It was a tough battle on the water with great competition from the fleet.”
Mike Montague and Kathy Ward, former Alter Cup winners, took second with 53 points, having to use their drop race for a DNF. The team of John Tomko and Casey Small finished close behind in third, rounding out the podium with 61 total points.
The race committee at Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club were able to run 13 races over three days, with 28 Hobie 16 teams on the line. Competition was fierce, and competitors were tested by a multitude of conditions.
Sheila Holmes, the event chair, achieved her goal of “aim for flawless, settle for epic.” US Sailing would like to thank National Sponsors Gill Marine and Goslings Rum for providing gifts to competitors and rum for the event. Thanks also goes to Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club, commodore Paul Bell, all the volunteers, and to John Nekus, US Sailing Multihull Championship Committee Chair.