Courtneys / Admiral Trailers B14 National Championship at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club - Overall

The final day arrived and the fleet were down bright and early as the scheduled start was to be 11:30 out in the bay. The wind was 6-9 knots SE, and hopefully would hold until we had the 3 scheduled races completed. So the fleet launched at low water to sail to the bay contemplating what might be and might have been had Race 7 stood.

Race 9 started on time with the fleet splitting left and right. After peeling off at the start and hitting hard right, it was Trunky (Kathy Sherrat/Josh Wilce) taking the lad from the right with those on the left led by Seavolution/North Sails coming in around 5th and Brightmile buried mid fleet. Over the race Trunky held on chased by Porky's Revenge (Dave Hayes/Pete Nicholson) and Asbo (Crispin Taylor/Guy Harrol). Again Seavolution/North Sails was to roll the dice and on the following beat the left paid enabling them to slip in to 2nd. Down the run on the shortened course they went past the lay line in more pressure, gybing and hotting up to just pass to leeward of Trunky and take the finish, followed by Porky's Revenege in third.

B14 Nationals at Rock - photo © Huw Willets

After a long postponement and opposing breezes, it stabilised enough to get another race away with the second discard kicking in. Race 10 and at the start Trunky jumped and rounded the committee boat to restart, with Brightmile and Seavolution/North Sails defending their line being over as well. Brightmile returned first followed shortly by Seavolution/North Sails. The latter being second to last off the line. This now opened it up for the fleet to attack the leaders. Seavolution/North Sails worked the middle left finding a lane and Brightmile the right.

At the windward mark, Seavolution/North Sails had got back into the mix but Brightmile was slightly further back. Demelza led from The Anthill Mob with the pack close in pursuit. As the run unravelled the two leaders moved further ahead with Seavolution/North Sails working through to 5th and Brightmile in the top 10. At close of play on the last lap, Seavolution/North Sails had climbed to 4th and Brightmile to 8th, but as they say it is not over till it is over. With Seavolution/North Sails on the right and a gaggle of the left with pressure suddenly appearing on that side, the left came in quicker that the right so bouncing Seavolution/North Sails to 7th at the finish but more importantly Brightmile to 8th so giving Seavolution/North Sails the 2021 championship. Who would be second now came into play with any one of four teams seperated by a couple of points including Blue Badge (Mike Bees/Martin Worth) and Porky's Revenge on equal points.

B14 Nationals at Rock - photo © Huw Willets

Race 11 after another quick turnaround to beat the 1430 cut off, saw a charge to the left led by Asbo Rides Again (Russ Gibbs/Lucy Loughton) and Asbo. At the windward mark in was these two that led from Demelza. Over next lap these 3 swapped positions to hold the lead pack at bay, but again Seavolution/North Sails had rolled the dice and with Blue Badge got the jump on the second run to join the mix, with splits at the last leeward mark and shortened course, with the fleet finishing at the windward mark. Rather than going hard left, Seavolution/North Sails went left of middle to shadow the four main protagonists. Asbo Rides Again hit the left and channel and roared home to win chased by Demelza and Asbo with Seavolution/North Sails just behind. At the finish both Blue Badge and Porkey's Revenge were deemed OCS and no gun. This really opened up 2nd and Brightmile had done just enough to hold on with the following four boats separated by 2 points.

• First Classic (Non Ovi/Seavolution) - GBR Ben Lloyd King/Jeremy Page (10th)
• First Female - Kathy Sherrat GBR 772 (7th)
• Endeavour Trophy (last boat to complete all races) - Amir Shamsuddin/Nick Pye GBR 795 (15th)

B14 Nationals at Rock - photo © Huw Willets

So a close championships, where consistency paid and small gains in a very tight fleet helped to make the difference. After coming 2nd in the last 5 UK Nationals and UK Euros where this team was able to contest, it was a big popular win for Seavolution/North Sails and Char Horlock finally getting over the line with her first championship. For Barnsie, it was a goal that he and others believed would elude him again due to the health issues he had undergone in the last few years including battling the big C in 2018/19, but now hopefully getting back to near his best. So those that feel they are terrified/depressed when they find they get the big C or other like illness, take ownership of it, set goals, plan for the impossible, there is hope at the end of the tunnel with perseverance, patience from those around you and a bit of luck.

B14 Nationals at Rock - photo © Huw Willets

The class you like to thank our sponsors Tony Blackmore of Admiral Trailers and Countneys for helping make the event. Also we'd like to thank the race team for their slick racing and quick turnarounds and the club for their hospitality in these strange times.

The next B14 event is Skiff Fest at Brightlingsea on 2 - 3 October where it looks like we'll have a good turnout. See all there.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the B14 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

ark Barnes & Charlotte Horlock win the B14 Nationals at Rock - photo © Huw Willets