Fells and Barber into the lead

Update from day two of the B14 Worlds

For the second day of the B14 World Championships, the Southerly Ora was late arriving and although filling in to 12-14 knots, had sufficient shifts and holes to make racing interesting. As for the first day the left hand bank was the place to be but with occasional big gains for those brave enough to take a wider line.

Race 3 started with a crowded pin end and a second gun. Jono Pank and Rich Edwards, the overnight leaders, sailed fast and smart to establish a good lead at the top mark. Tim Fells and Shaun Barber chased hard and had closed sufficiently by the last beat to initiate some close covering. On the final run Fells / Barber attacked and managed to find some extra pressure to take the gun. Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer who had never been far behind, also took advantage of a strong gust to grab second with Pank / Edwards crossing to silence having been OCS. Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald (GBR 756) were promoted to third.

With a less biased line, the fleet started race 4 cleanly. Andrews / McDonald having been rolled at the start, tacked out right and found lifting pressure to bring them back across the fleet. They established a lead that they extended throughout the race despite the wind starting to break up. Fells / Barber pulled their way up to second but were rolled by Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan (AUS 368) on the last lap who went on to take second. Pank / Edwards followed Fells / Barber home in third and fourth. The Australian team completed an excellent race with 5 boats in the top 10.

Overall after 2 races:
1stGBR 758, Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (1,9,1,3) 5 points
2ndGBR 756, Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald (9,6,3,1) 10 points
3rdGBR 771, Jono Pank and Rich Edwards (6,1,OCS,4) 11 points
4thGBR, 767 Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer (10,2,2,9) 13 points
5thGBR 725, Matt Searle and Sandy Ramus (5,4,4,6) 13 points
6th AUS, 367 Martin Johnson and Mike Halkes (4,13,5,7) 16 points