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sMRT ALERT UK 1

B14s at the Stokes Bay Skiff Open

by Crispin Taylor 9 Apr 10:52 BST 5-6 April 2025
B14s during the Skiff Open at Stokes Bay © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Seven B14s arrived for the skiff open in fresh and breezy offshore conditions. With the introduction of the B14 handicap system, as yet untested, three of those were B's from yesteryear, 620, probably 30 years old but in fine fettle, 711, a known quick RS boat and 731 to be sailed by the current world champs, Chris and Lucy.

The handicap gives older boats, sail numbers before 755, 10 extra points with a carbon stick and 20 extra with a alloy (tin) stick. The three older boats were joined by 4 post sail numbers 755 sailing to the current RYA pin.

Race 1, 18+ knots, Chris and Lucy in 731 smashed the start, first beat and you guessed it, the race with a convincing win. Simon & Rory (770) and Crispy & Gi (789) had a near photo finish with Chris and Matt in 620 getting 3rd on the handicap result.

Barnsie and Josh had a beaut of a pile up on the start leaving them in the minor places.

Chris and Wayne in 711 DNF.

B14s during the Skiff Open at Stokes Bay - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk
B14s during the Skiff Open at Stokes Bay - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Race 2 was very windy, 22-25+ and gusty. Surprise surprise, the champs made it look easy with another convincing win with 711 2nd on handicap and 799 Barnsie & Jack 3rd... carnage occurred further down the rankings with 770, 789 & 791 failing to finish.

A rather diminished fleet arrived for R3, champs hit the high notes again with a resounding 1st, Chris and Matt 2nd, Barnsie & Jack 3rd and Chris/Wayne 4th.

B14s during the Skiff Open at Stokes Bay - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk
B14s during the Skiff Open at Stokes Bay - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Day 2, wind similar direction, now 12-16 knots. Course B so sharing the water with the 700's, skiffs and 4000's... Bright and sunny ?

R4, Yes, you guessed it. 731 on a roll! For the rest of us mere mortals, shifty and challenging beats followed by snakes and ladders downwind!

R5. Shocker! 799 wins followed by you guessed it, 731. Very close racing on the water

B14s during the Skiff Open at Stokes Bay - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk
B14s during the Skiff Open at Stokes Bay - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

R6. Another shocker! 731 & 799 OCS leaving 789 the win, 770 2nd, 620 3rd.

Chris and Lucy sailed a near perfect event in an older well maintained boat to win overall and on handicap.

Barnsie and Jack 2nd, Simon and Rory 3rd.

Starcross YC boats took five of the six wins.

The handicap system, though in its infancy, brought older boats into the mix and competitors left happy. Looking forward to seeing more on the circuit this year ahead of the worlds in Torbay, June 2026.

The next B14 event is the Weymouth skiff event, 10/11th May, again racing using the handicap system. Do come along with an older boat, you may be in the prizes! Thanks to Dan and the Stokes Bay Sailing Club team for hosting another epic skiff event. See you next year!

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1st731Chris BatemanLucy LoughtonStarcross YC11112(OCS)6
2nd799Mark BarnesJack KilburnWhitstable YC53351(OCS)17
3rd770Simon HadleyRory MoppettWhitstable Yacht Club2(RET)DNC33218
4th620Matt BanbrookChris HattonStokes Bay3(DNC)275320
5th789Crispin TaylorGi HarrillStarcross YC4(RET)DNC44121
6th711Chris PillingWayne HancoxWash Sailing Club(RET)246RETDNC28
7th791JOSH WILCEMatt HollisRutland sc6(DNF)DNC2DNCDNC32

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