Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

B14 Europeans & Pre Worlds at Plerin, France - Day 1

by Mark Watts 12 Jul 2013 14:04 BST 10-19 July 2013

Racing in a washing machine

After light winds and wall to wall sunshine in the run up to the Europeans day 1 greeted the fleet overcast, breezy and with the sea in full spin cycle. The shore break causing plenty of anxious looks.

As the tide retreated the sea state moderated the fleet were able to launch on time, albeit with a few attempts needed by many to get off the beach into the onshore breeze.

On the race course the swell of over 2m and a breeze in the early 20's presented challenging conditions for the fleet as Race 1 got underway. AUS 782 "One more for the bone" Guy Bancroft/Lachlan Imeneo led the charge of the Aussies with the top mark seeing AUS 782 lead from, AUS 375 "Octopussy" Andre Webster/Allen Graham, and AUS 373 "Bonework" Ian/Dave Cunningham with only GBR 791 "Team Ullman Sails" Mark Watts/Chris Bishop joining the Aussie party in 4th.

The first run was a case of keeping the bow out of the tide and trying to spot the yellow marks against the beach. The result was the majority of the fleet over-standing the gate and blasting in at various over pressed angles.

Lap two saw the places remain unchanged with AUS 782 extending for a convincing win. The final run saw AUS 375 hit the tide leaving AUS 373 to take second and GBR 791 third.

Race 2 and the breeze had eased fractionally but the tide had turned creating even steeper foaming ramps. A number of teams succumbing to the sea state in the pre start.

The start saw split opinions on tactics with some teams taking the pin on port whilst others opted for a more conservative mid line start. GBR 788 "Seavolution" Mark Barnes/ Jeremy (Doobie) Williamson led the charge with AUS 782 hot on his heels. The pack was led by GBR 774 "Doris" Ben/Roz McGrane finding their feet quickly in the class and proving once again that light teams can be fast in the breeze.

GBR788 and AUS 782 were then seen to play a tactical dogfight and stretch away. GBR 788 finally losing the fight on the last run to see AUS 782 take a second win. GBR 774 delivered a solid 3rd.

For all teams the day was not yet over... The return to the beach saw breaking surf and different approaches ranging from sending it into the shallows for a last minute handbrake turn through to mains down, foils out surfboard approach. All proved equally successful/un-successful with a number of teams ending up on their side in the surf. Some anxious moments followed but the fleet worked together to rescue teams in trouble and see them all escape damage free.

The club hosted welcome drinks as the fleet told tales of the day's adventures and some licked their wounds.

Forecast for tomorrow is the swell and breeze to reduce... Phew!

Results after Day 1:

Pre Worlds
1st AUS 782 Guy Bancroft/Lachlan Ineno
2nd AUS 373 Ian Cunningham/Dave Cunningham
3rd GBR 791 Mark Watts/Chris Bishop

Europeans
1st GBR 791 Mark Watts/Chris Bishop
2nd GBR 774 Ben McGrane/Roz McGrane
3rd GBR 788 Mark Barnes/Jeremy Williamson

Related Articles

UK B14 season preview
With a fantastic variety of TT events, some at new venues With the warmth of the Sydney Worlds, both weather and welcome, still fresh in the memory it feels like the B14 is on the cusp something grand. Posted on 21 Feb The engine room
Without them we are lost. This is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick. Without them we are lost. This is not about the tiny little room under the companionway stairs. Rather, it is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick.Yes. The rags. Only, they are anything but for wiping up spills. They are supreme tech. Posted on 9 Feb Sydney Harbour Marathon
Part of the Australian 18 Footers League's 90th Anniversary celebrations The Australian 18 Footers League, as part of its 90th Anniversary celebrations recreated the Sydney Harbour Marathon, last sailed 37 years ago when 18, 16 and 12 footers competed on a similar course. Posted on 1 Feb B14 - the inclusive skiff
Age, weight and gender do not matter Reporting from Sydney after the 2025 world championships, our reporter 'down-under' has pulled together some stats that shine a light on the inclusivity of this great class. Posted on 21 Jan B14 Worlds at Sydney, Australia overall
A memorable regatta at Woollahra Sailing Club We weren't sure what sort of weather we would get for the final day of the B14 Worlds in Sydney. Dark clouds to the north, light clouds to the south, some rain, some very little sun. Posted on 11 Jan B14 Worlds at Sydney, Australia Day 4
Chubby bunnies, a difficult sea state, and biblical rain With two days of lost racing the race officer was determined to get four races in on Thursday. This was made apparent at the last evenings entertainment "Bugger the Bone" - a B14 tradition that perhaps hasn't delivered crews at the top of their game. Posted on 9 Jan B14 Worlds at Sydney, Australia Day 3
A range of shoreside strategies on a day of relatively low temperatures and driving rain Conditions on Sydney Harbour for day three were much the same as day two. A strong, gusty Southerly breeze brought with it relatively low temperatures and driving rain, leaving some European boats wistfully dreaming of home waters. Posted on 8 Jan B14 Worlds at Sydney, Australia Day 2
The weather wasn't exactly welcoming on Sydney Harbour today The weather wasn't exactly welcoming on Sydney Harbour for the B14 World Championships today. With the sky heavy and overcast, the drizzle falling steadily, and winds gusting, there was little enthusiasm in the boat park. Posted on 7 Jan B14 Worlds at Sydney, Australia Day 1
Thirty boats lined up on a glistening harbour Day one of the B14 World Championship kicked off Monday in Sydney, Australia at Woollahra SC. With a medium wind forecast for the day, competitors looked forward to a stiff sea breeze filling in across the bay, just in time for the first start of the day. Posted on 6 Jan Flying start to 2025
An embarrassment of riches for sailing fans Happy New Year to you all! The beginning of 2025 is an embarrassment of riches for sailing fans, with a cornucopia of events to follow, ranging from offshore yachts around the world to traditional dinghies. Posted on 6 Jan
Copyright 2025 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy