B14 Training Weekend at Grafham Water Sailing Club
by Jono Pank 31 Mar 2006 17:27 BST
25-26 March 2006
Tim Fells demonstrates a strong wind gybe during the B14 training weekend at Grafham © Jono Pank
The 2006 B14 season opened with style at Grafham Water with Force 5 Gusts, enough to blow those winter cobwebs away. Both regular Open and new B14 recruits attended the annual training weekend.
49er Silver medalist Chris Draper and 2004 National champion Jono Pank led the coaching team with the weekend’s theme of boat handling and overtaking on the race course.
It was reported to be ‘windier than it looks’ as announced by the race committee over the tannoy just prior to launching however all the enthusiastic sailors took to the water. 10 Rolling starts got boats up to speed on the starting bits.
A series of short course races next let sailors practice boat their boat handling – ‘4 tacks and 3 gybes’ per lap. The aim to be staying smooth throughout manoeuvres and let the rudder follow the boat. Crews learnt quickly that staying on their feet gives them the best ability to react quickly.
Downwind in the windy conditions it was evident that both crew and helm needed to be at the back of the racks, hiking and then in Chris’ words ‘just send it’.
International President Tim Fells, and Current World Champion Matt Searle, headed up a Try a B14 Sailing Event in the challenging conditions. Several sailors took to the water and the size of the grins would suggest that they enjoyed the exhilarating experience!
On Saturday evening, Chris Draper gave a talk about how to position yourself best in order to maximise overtaking opportunities (& counter them) throughout the race – at the start line, at buoys, uphill and down. Stay tuned to Yachts and Yachting for links to his summary and new website.
Sunday continued to be windy, several boats finding out how warm Grafham water can be at the end of winter. Latest ideas for ‘pimping your skiff’ from the leading B14’s were noted including ‘proper’ purchased kickers, non slip boats & tiller extensions, plus a few references to this years latest, but as yet unseen accessory - under-tramp neon lighting – bring it on!
The B14 class looks forward to a competitive and exciting year ahead. The next open is this weekend at Datchet Water 7th-8th April.