B14 National Championship at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club - Day 2

B14 Nationals at Rock © RS&WC

Day 2 of the B14 Nationals and the fleet was greeted with glassy stillness on the water when they arrived at the dinghy park. So bimbling and lazing in the sun was the call for the day.

The local knowledge was that the sea breeze would kick in around 1300 - 1330. With the start at 1300 would there be a delay or not? So the fleet slowly prepared for racing with little indication of any wind, then at 1215 the sea breeze started to appear and the fleet's preparations gained focus as they needed to get to the race area as soon as possible.

For the day the race area would be in the mouth of the river by the Bar, racing over the high water. By racing time the breeze had built to 5-6 knots and throughout the day would build to about 10 knots and keep fairly constant in direction in flat water till the tide turned during race 6 and a lumpy chop in the channel.

So the protagonists were in the starting blocks and first race away 6 minutes later than scheduled due to waiting for the wind. The pin went early and the recall was sounded but no one returned. With the fleet splitting left and right, it soon became apparent that the left under the headland was the place to be and would prove so until the last beat of the last race and down the right heading downhill.

So with many of the fleet short tacking round the headland Dimelza (Peter Knight/Jane Reeves), led from Asbo Rides Again (Russ Gibbs/Lucy Loughton) and Seavolution/North Sails (Barnsie/Charlotte Horlock). Throughout the race these three battled for the lead with Asbo Rides Again falling away from these two. At the finished Dimelza crossed first to silence, Seavolution North Sails getting a gun and Asbo Rides Again to silence. Brightmile (Mark Watts/Matt Johnson) second and Asbo Crispin Taylor/Guy Harrol) third.

With a very quick turnaround race 5 and more of the same but slightly stronger wind. The top two overall both got rolled on the charge to the headland and were in the also rans. Taking up the lead was Porky's Revenge (Dave Hayes/Pete Nicholson) and Blue Badge (Mike Bees/Martin Worth) and Asbo Rides Again. At the end of lap two Porky's Revenge in the lead headed for the finish only to realise their mistake and round up to chase down Blue Badge. Unfortunately, they were not to achieve their goal and Blue Badge took the win from Porky's Revenge and Asbo Rides Again with the two leaders clawing their way back to 5th and 8th.

Race 6, and again the race team were quick out of the blocks with another good flat line. The race got under way in a steady 8-10 knots and the case of the who would reign supreme would depend on whether the pin could put the bow down and get to the rocks and port tack the fleet. This they failed to achieve. Coming off the rocks it was Seavolution/Norths Sails from Brightmile and Blue Badge. Slowly over the the next lap these two were to extend with Porkys Revenge and The Anthill Mob (Tim Harrison/Jonny Radcliffe) in hot pursuit. On lap two the leader took the middle ground downhill to control the inside, but this was to prove their downfall as Brightmile got the pressure and the head on them with Blue Badge closing on pressure. On the lay line gybe to the gate Seavolution/North Sails slowly rolled Brightmile, but the joker was that Blue Badge came in on pressure and jumped both. Rounding up Seavolution/North Sails tacked to find and lane and this marginally cost them second. So for the next lap these two closely raced in formation and finished in that order.

So, after three closely fought races in 4 hours on the water, the fleet screamed up the river on a broad reach. Brightmile and Seavolution/North Sails equal on 18 with Brightmile on 10 and Seavolution/North Sails on 13 after discard and Blue Badge closing the gap on 14.

With more of the same on Saturday, it is looking like it will go down to the last couple of races and the team that triumphs will be worthy winners.

Fish and Chips in the open area in front of the club in the evening with all and the club taking great care due to the Covid situation in the UK and keeping all safe.

Results after Day 2: