CSC dominates

Mark Barnes reports from the B14 racing at Whitstable this weekend

Round 3 of the B14 TT series brought the class to Whitstable on the weekend of the 21-22 May. With a forecast for big winds some chose not to travel but 18 crews took to the water for some adrenalin pumping racing. The breeze was 18-20 knots from the southwest and 1.0m short seas.

Race 1 with a pin end bias got away first time with Matt Searle/Andy Ramus leading the charge to the left hand side of the beat. At the top mark Searle/Ramus rounded first and hoisted their kite, planting it 300 m. down the run. Next round was Chris Bines/Dave Gibbons on CSC then Nils Jolliffe/Jonathon Branch on Boatracer.co.uk and Mark Barnes/Karen Wiseman's ReadyCrest. These three hoisted their kites and raced full pelt to the lay line. Readycrest wiped out in the gybe while in third leaving the other 2 to battle on, but alas Boatracer.co.uk also wiped out while in the lead. On the turn back upwind CSC was on her own and stretched her lead never to be seen again. Many chose to leave their kites in the bag and let others provide the entertainment. Piers Lambert/Tim Bees and Dave Hayes/Sean Dwyer faired better and came through to second and third respectively.

Race 2 and the breeze and sea were building and the fleet was reduced to 9 boats. Again the pin was favoured and CSC won the start from Boatracer.co.uk and ReadyCrest battling out to the left and Hayes/Dwyer on a flyer to the right. At the windward mark CSC led from Boatracer.co.uk and ReadyCrest. At the bottom of the run the fleet compressed and with several boats converging on the mark. ReadyCrest came in on starboard and pitch-poled in front of the port gybe fleet. Piers Lambert/Tim Bees came through to third leading the pack chasing CSC and Boatracer.co.uk. On the next beat with CSC and Boatracer.co.uk holding position a real dog fight was being fought between four boats (Hayes/Dwyer, Lambert/Bees, Mark Watts/Tim Rogers and Graham Briddle/Martin Worth). On the next round, several boats hit the tide with Hayes/Dwyer doing it in spectacular fashion and as a result retiring to the bar to join Searle/Ramus and company. At the finish it was again CSC from Boatracer.co.uk followed by Lambert/Bees.

Race 3 and the heat was up with several crews having their pride damaged, the line was square and the fleet hit the start at full speed but boatracer.co.uk failed to make the pin and capsized on the tack back. In the race to the lefthand side Readycrest got the better of CSC and CSC tacked off to the right with the majority of the fleet. By the windward mark the B14s were among the back end of the Musto Skiff fleet, which was to add spice to the downhill ride. The breeze was picking up as the black clouds approached. ReadyCrest rounded first followed by CSC and Watts/Rogers. The bear away proved interesting, crews were flat out on the back of the racks and the ride downhill was lively and very fast. No kites, was the order of the moment. ReadyCrest led to the righthand corner wearing round and charged to the finish of the one lap shortened course in a wall of spray followed by CSC and Watts/Rogers.

For those that had survived and those not so lucky, the talk in the bar was one of what a ride, what a day.

After the evening’s infamous partying. Sunday dawned to more big winds. The RO Howard Patterson on a view of the forecast cancelled racing for the day at 1100 to the relief of many bruised and jaded bodies.

Race management was good and race turn around slick. Assistance with trolleys ext was much appreciated by all with thanks to Whitstable Yacht Club.

CSC won without capsizing and with back to back TT wins is now leading the 2005 points. The year looks as if it is going to be a close fought one.

1. Chris Bines/Dave Gibbons “CSC” 1, 1, 2 = 4
2. Mark Barnes/Karen Wiseman “ReadyCrest” 4, 6, 1 = 11
3. Piers Lambert/Tim Bees 2, 3, 6 = 11
4. Mark Watts/Tim Rogers 5, 4, 3 = 12
5. Graham Briddle/Martin Worth 6, 5, 5 = 16