B14 Open at Stokes Bay Sailing Club
by Crispin Taylor 24 Apr 06:27 BST
20-21 April 2024
B14 Open at Stokes Bay © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
Ten B14s entered the event with one dropping out at the last moment due to crew issues. As always, Dan Vincent and the excellent ashore and afloat team had everything working like clockwork managing 70 skiffs from 5 classes.
Day one and the wind was 12-16 knots NNE to NW, very shifty with big gusts. Josh and Matt, fresh out of hibernation dominated the day with a 1,1,2 score line, Barnsie and Jack 2nd
Team Starcross YC had a mixed session with Russ and Lucy showing great speed but falling foul of the UFD flag twice and Tony and Jamie sailing consistently to take 3rd on day one. Crispy & Gi didn't quite hit the pace.
Saturday night saw an expert panel formed from the first placed boats. Josh representing the B14s was very informative leaving no-one in doubt as to why he and Matt were the overnight leaders. Apparently 39 of the 41 MPS sailers had at least one capsize. All to play for on day 2!
Sunday's wind was stronger but more consistent northerly and all the B14's had great pace around the course with all boats getting to grips well with the conditions.
Josh and Matt again showed great form and consistency winning the event from Barnsie and Jack who had been chasing them like a terrier! Team Starcross saw Tony and Jamie 3rd, Crispy and Gi 4th.
Claire & Wayne 766, James & Ann 798 and Amir & Nick 795 all demonstrated good speed and boat control in windy & very tricky conditions.
The next round is the Weymouth Skiff event at WPNSA on 11th & 12th May followed by the Europeans and Nationals at Royal Torbay shared with the International 14s from 13th to 16th June.