B14 blast

The B14 fleet experienced high winds and high speeds at their Weymouth open

The B14 circus, consisting of 18 boats, rolled up to the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy to share the weekend with the Laser 4000s. They were greeted with a building biting 18-27 knot breeze from the SW and overcast sky.

As both fleets launched the breeze really kicked in and most had an adrenaline rush ride to the start with some B14s achieving over 18 knots.

The format was for the B14s to follow the 4000s over the 0.8 n.m. course, five minutes later. This was to prove very interesting as the leading B14s were into the back 4000s by the windward mark and meet some at the gybing point where several boats in both fleets would have the wheels come off their rides, the slalom course would prove interesting.

Race one got away first time with Seavolution/Blue Marine (Mark Barnes and Pete Nicholson) winning the committee boat end and taking control of the first beat. At the windward mark, Seavolution/Blue Marine rounded just ahead of Ince&Co (Mark Watts and Tim Rogers) with the pack just behind them. Down the first run the sail was fairly manic with Ince&Co finding the tide whilst negotiating the capsized 4000s.

Over the next round, Seavolution/Blue Marine pulled away from the fleet led by North Sails (UK)/MJF (Dave Hayes and Drew Malcolm) and CSC (Chris Bines and Dave Gibbons). Going into the third run to the finish, Seavolution/Blue Marine had a 50m lead but with the wrap from hell, CSC passed them to take the lead. However, having sorted the kite the race was on Seavolution/Blue Marine gybed inside CSC and regained control but they were neck and neck. CSC dropped their kite to make the finish followed by Seavolution/Blue Marine, winning by two boat lengths with North Sails (UK)/MJF third.

Race two and in 22 knots, the mid line guys won the charge to the left led by CSC and Ince&Co knocking Velocitek/Performance Rigging (Don Forster and Guy Whitby) and Seavolution/Blue Marine from the front. At the windward mark it was Velocitek/Performance Rigging who had blasted through followed by 758 (Tim Harrison and Johnny Radcliffe), CSC and Ince&Co. With a full on scream downwind in close proximity, there was nothing to separate the first eight boats. The white knuckle ride was to claim Velocitek/Performance Rigging and 758.

At the leeward mark it was CSC, Ince&Co and 764 (Mark Pollard and Richard Hingston). The mover through the fleet was Seavolution/Blue Marine now in fourth. Up the next beat, the B14s cleared the front 4000s and got down to the sharp end of business. At the windward mark CSC had a lead with the next three closely grouped. With steady 20+ knot breeze, the top four successfully completed the slay ride with Seavolution/Blue Marine taking second by the leeward mark. Over the next round they reeled in CSC but they were to hold on to win by five boat lengths. With more than 50% of both fleets finding the tide, there was a delay untill the third race.

Race three and off the start it was Velocitek/Performance Rigging who showed their credentials to lead the race from CSC, Seavolution/Blue Marine, Ince&Co and 764 into the windward mark. All boats screamed out to the right-hand corner to the 4000 boat park. Seavolution/Blue Marine successfully gybed inside the capsized boats with Ince&Co crossing Seavolution/Blue Marine and capsizing during their gybe. CSC gybed to the right of the group and capsized as did Velocitek/Performance Rigging and several other boats.

The big gainer out of this was Credo (Theo Gayler and Jack Spencer) who moved into second leading the remaining boats followed by 764 and 767 (Paul Bartlett and Mark Phillips). Over the next round Seavolution/Blue Marine pulled away building up a 200m lead. Behind them, it was a real dogfight with five boats vying for second. Credo had a bad last drop, dropping them back to fourth, releasing 764 into third only for them to capsize on their last gybe on the run to the finish, handing second to 767 with the resurging Ince&Co claiming third from Credo at the finish.

Having had a messy capsize CSC, unable to regain a good position had retired ashore to conserve their energy for the big blast on day two. Three boats CSC, Ince&Co and Seavolution/Blue Marine achieved sustained speeds of 18.9 knots on the first run of race three, a truly full on ride.

That night the partying was subdued and both fleets concentrated on recuperation, with the sailors enjoying much drink, good food and the band.

The following morning with winds of 27 knots and gusts up to 38 knots racing was abandoned. With the discard coming in after three races, CSC took the win from Seavolution/Blue Marine and 767. A special mention must go out to 767 who with their alloy rig showed many a carbon rig the way home.

The race team ran an efficient series on Saturday and shore management complimented the on water experience.

Next weekend and with some breeze forecast, the Inlands take place at Grafham with any of the leading six boats in with a chance of winning.

Results:

1-CSC - Chris Bines and Dave Gibbons, 2.0
2-Seavolution/Blue Marine - Mark Barnes and Pete Nicholson, 3.0
3-767 - Paul Bartlett and Mark Phillips, 7.0
4-North Sails (UK)/MJF - David Hayes and Drew Southport, 7.0
5-Ince&Co - Mark Watts and Tim Rogers, 8.0
6-764 - Mark Pollard and Richard Hingston, 11.0
7-Credo - Theo Galyer and Jack Spencer, 11.0
8-758 - Tim Harrison and Jonny Radcliffe, 11.0
9-Sail-Sport - Tony Blackmore and Charlotte Jones, 18.0
10-753 - Alan Davis and Kathy Sharratt, 25.0