14s in Hawaii

Pacific Rim Championships draw to a close in perfect conditions

The final day of the International 14 Pacific Rim Championships was held in a perfect 20 knot breeze which tested some gear at the front of the fleet. Overnight leaders Boehm and Mohler missed a finish due to halyard problems. Second placed Penman and Vincze watched their Bieker mast fold at the gooseneck at full speed before the start of the first race. Turner and Bundy lost an upper at the finish of race 2 but managed to complete and save the mast.

These upsets opened the way to a great day for the Australians. Linday Irwin sailing with local surfer crew Harold Von Sydow scored three 2nds, each time behind David Hayter and Alan Pouitt sailing in their first international event in 14s. Their boat is a "narrrowed" Bieker 3 with Bieker t-foil, CST mast and sails from the family loft.

Irwin won the event followed by Hayter. Back in mid fleet but still enjoying the racing were the oldest competitors Alan Laflin and Erik Arens both 64 and with 88 years of 14 sailing between them.

Evening festivities included traditional Hawaiian dance and the more recent tradition of "Junglefire" from the Japanese contingent.

The event was a good meeting of the northern and southern hemispheres 10 months before the next worlds in New Zealand. Numbers are growing under stable rules although there was some discussion of the need for a clearer international rule interpretation mechanism to ensure that all fleets stay in synch.

Final Results

1 Lindsay Irwin & Harold von Sydow (AUS/USA) 28
2 David Hayter & Alan Pouitt (AUS) 32
3 Dave Alexander & Andrew Chisholm (AUS) 34
4 Ron Boehm & Pete Mohler (USA) 47
5 Steve Goodson & Alan Derricks (USA) 52
6 Brad Rutenik & Todd Czarnecki (USA) 67
7 Chris Turner & Kris Bundy (GBR/USA) 73