B14s at Datchet

Win goes to Hayes and Dwyer in Sea Sure

Nineteen B14s were at Datchet on 3 and 4 April, together with the other Ovington classes – 29ers, 49ers, 59ers and Musto Skiffs.

With the water level up and the wind up too, it was going to be an exciting event.

Current World Champion Tim Fells with new crew Shaun Barber started as they meant to carry on by leading out of the blocks and going on to win the first race by a country mile.

Late out onto the water and without a watch between them current National champions Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer in Sea-Sure made a slower start, but wriggled through to finish second, followed by Matt Searle and Rich Bell who had pulled through from an even worse start (OCS and having to round-the-end) to gain third.

Race two saw a tight battle for the lead between Tim and Shaun and Matt and Rich before, with Tim and Shaun seemingly having gained the upper hand, their rig came crashing down in an almighty gust. Matt and Rich went on to win, followed by Dave and Sean, who won the five-way battle for second in front of Chris Bines and Fraz in third.

With Tim and Shaun out of the picture and the wind strengthening still more, Matt and Rich took an early lead in race three, but when a windsurfer fell off right in front of them they had nowhere to go but down. Simon Hadley and Pete Nicholson took over the lead but Dave and Sean chased them down and got through before the finish. Simon and Pete had time for a swim before finishing second, just in front of Chris and Fraz.

All this action left Dave and Sean as the overnight leaders.

With Sunday dawning with much the same amount of breeze as Saturday, and the conditions not looking too inviting, the fleet suddenly turned into Millwall or Sunderland supporters and called it a day.

Results
1. 767 - Dave Hayes & Sean Dwyer (Sea-Sure) – Southport
2. 725 – Matt Searle & Rich Bell (Sprint) – Hayling Island
3. 741 – Chris Bines & Fraz – Brightlingsea
4. 768 - Mark Barnes & Tom Pygall (Ready Crest) – Whitstable
5. 728 – Nils Jolliffe & Jon Branch (Boatracer.co.uk) - Weston