International 14 loan boats

The two recipients were decided after trials this weekend in Hayling Island

The International 14 Loan Boat Trials took place this weekend at Hayling Island, with seven teams competing for the use of two International 14s for the season.

Saturday dawned with ideal conditions for getting to grips with the boats; 10-12 knots of breeze and bright sunshine. Though with a fair bit of swimming to start with, most of the teams found the water wasn’t quite as warm as it looked. Four close races saw plenty of grins and Paul Childs and Alan Roberts leading at the end of day one. But, in order to give all teams a chance to get used to the boats, overall positions from Saturday counted for only one race result and four races were scheduled for Sunday, meaning it was still very open

Sunday saw more glamour sailing conditions and more water in the harbour. The racing was very close with three different race winners and all the teams getting near the front of the fleet at some point. In the end the top three positions were decided on the line of the final race - and then only on countback.

The helm of one of the winning crews, Ben Ainsworth, said of the weekend: “The trials were awesome! Blazing sun, warm(ish) water and a steady breeze meant that it was ideal conditions for learning to trapeze and steer at the same time! We weren't particularly confident going into the event (Will not having been in a boat since September and my experience being half an hour helming a 14 a week before) but we gradually found our feet and finally managed to make it all the way round the course without swimming in the last one! All the 14 guys were helpful and friendly - especially Rollo, who insisted on rigging and de-rigging for us at every opportunity - and the whole experience was fantastic. We strongly advise everyone to try and take part next year!”

Or as Paul Childs put it “I really enjoyed a perfect weekend of sailing in quality boats”

The winning teams were:

Ben Ainsworth and Will Morgan
Paul Childs and Tom O’Neill

The 14 class association wish to thank Hyde, Marlow and IBI Sailing for their support and all the boat owners who lent boats, particularly those providing boats for the year.