Closing up

Aussies flying at B14 Worlds on Garda

Day 3 of the B14 Worlds brought classic Ora conditions with 16-18 knots, much more steady in direction and strength than the first two days. It was definitely a boat speed day and the Aussie team showed their colours with some exceptional all round pace. The Sydney fleet based at Woollahra, have been working with their local sailmaker to develop a flatter, straighter rig that seems rocket-ship fast in a breeze. The European rigs are more tuned for moderate conditions with coastal chop and are more punchy, pointing higher. It is an interesting contrast in styles and if the wind continues to build, the end result will be hard to predict.

In race 5, Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan gained the upper hand up the left hand bank and rounded first ahead of the leading five Brits in the overall standings. Sailing a composed race strategy they steadily extended their lead to win, Lissa becoming the first girl crew to win a B14 world championship race. Overnight leaders, Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (GBR 758) crossed second to further strengthen their title challenge. Matt Searle and Sandy Ramus (GBR 725) added a third to their impressive set of top 5 results and Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald strengthened their score line with fourth. Jono Pank and Rich Edwards (GBR 771) whole had led the regatta on the first day, were disqualified for a windward mark incident with Andrews.

At the start of race 6, the Ora was well established and the fleet split to both sides of the course. Fells / Barber, leading the regatta were doing turns off the start line and were last to start. Searle / Ramus took the early lead but were soon struggling to hold back the flying Aussies. Martin Johnson and Mike Halkes (AUS 367) flew past upwind and extended their lead to win by a stunning margin from Searle / Ramus. Peter Ray and Gareth Wells (AUS 370) took third ahead of Reynolds / McMillan (AUS 368) to complete a great day for team Australia. Meanwhile the leading three Brits were doing themselves no favours with Andrews / McDonald 10th, Fells / Barber 12th and Pank / Edwards seeing their title challenge slip away in 13th.

Overall after 6 races:
1stGBR 758, Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (1,9,1,3,2,12) 16 points
2ndGBR 725, Matt Searle and Sandy Ramus (5,4,4,6,3,2) 18 points
3rdGBR 756, Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald (9,6,3,1,4,10) 23 points
4thAUS 368 Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan (11,17,6,2,1,4) 24 points
5thAUS 367 Martin Johnson and Mike Halkes (4,13,5,7,7,1) 24 points
6thAUS 370 Peter Ray and Gareth Wells (13,3,13,5,5,3) 29 point