Neil Pryde Sailing B14 Europeans at Carnac - Form Guide

With the Europeans being staged at Yacht Club de Carnac in Carnac over the Bank Holiday, the event looks as if it is going to be a good one. With the forecast, we’ll hopefully have champagne sailing conditions with at least two days of building sea breezes.

The event looks to be fairly open with several teams throwing their hats into the arena and new National Champions Tim Harrison/Jonny Radcliffe being one of the favourites. Question will be, will Seavolution 1 have returned to strength with Pistol Pete recovering from a long lay-off with a hand injury and Barnsie still overcoming injuries from a bike accident in March. Only time will tell if the UK’s top team from the Worlds will be back to near strength or be just a whimper of the form they have come to show in recent times.

There is a strong French contingent that if not windy as they are lighter than the average British teams, may well show how fast they are and possibly give some established teams a pasting. To add spice, one AUS team will be racing but not eligible for the overall event.

So which team will be the one that gets the bragging rights come the end of the 4 day Bank Holiday event. Here is the form guide to assist you in assessing the options. Reports will be posted daily.

Nick Craig/Toby Lewis – Team Gill – 2-1:
Previous National and current Endeavour (Champion of Champions) champion. They are also leaders of the TT series this year and had a strong Worlds. If they manage to get there (see above), they will be one of the favourites to win. To add spice to the event, neither Toby or Nick have been in the boat for 2 months. This will add interest to the event. Jockeying for North Sails (UK).

Tim Harrison/Johnny Radcliffe – Anthill Mob – 2-1:
Current National Champions and one of the most consistent teams, currently and lying second in the 2009 TT series. Another team that is on form. Finishing on the podium at TT events. They are in with a chance of finishing in the top 4 but their chink in the armour is the big breeze and occasional capsize, as was seen at the Worlds. Running North Sails (UK) sails.

Mark Barnes/Pete Nicholson – Seavolution 1 – 3-1:
Sailing their new boat 784, though 4 months old, yet to sailed in anger as explained above. So is the boat up to speed and are they more vulnerable than usual. However, if firing on all cylinders and come good, having won the Pre-Worlds and coming second in the Worlds at their last true outing, they are still not to be written off and will be there in the mix on the last day and possibly the ones to beat. Jockeying for North Sails (UK).

David Hayes/Rich Bell – Sketchworks/North Sails (UK) – 3-1:
Multiple B14 champions and Rich current European Champion, sailing their new boat 785, they have shown some great speed since returning from the Worlds. Consistency will be their make or break for taking the prize home. They will be looking to force their way into the top 5 boats. Jockeying North Sails (UK) sails.

Mark Watts/George Morris – Simmons&Simmons - 4-1:
Last year’s UK TT series runners up and doing well throughout the last 12 months, look good for the top 5. If all comes together, and it being George’s swan song as health has got the better of him for the moment, they may well take the elusive prize. Not sure which sails they will be using as have Hyde and North Sails.

Mark Emmett/Allan Stuart – Acxiom - 6–1:
Though both experienced, their second year together and if enthusiasm and preparation are the key, they will be there or there abouts especially if breezy. Running the larger roach main and nearer the top end weight in the UK fleet, they are competitive in all conditions. Looking to be in the top 7. Running North Sails (UK) sails.

Alan Davis/Toby Barsley-Dale – Hyde Sails – 6-1:
One of the lighter teams and at the Worlds in Hobart, produced some very good results. Good at getting the best out of the boat and sailing cleanly, should be good at putting a series together. Toby will be running a new style Hyde main for the event. Believe they will be running Hyde sails.

Piers Lambert/Mark Batt – 2 Racks of Pork - 9-1:
A team that came together last year and shows good speed at times. If lady luck rolls the dice in their favour, they will be riding on the back of the front pack ready to pick off those that make a mistake. Good for top 10. Running North Sails (UK) sails.

Alain Cadre/Francois Cadre – 10–1:
Should be members of the pack. Alain has shown very good speed when training with the fleet. Of the French teams he and his brother may well have the edge over JB/Walter. Running an alloy mast and current North sails. On the lighter side and so may struggle in the big breeze, but in marginal conditions will be a contender.

Will McGrath/Harry Reece – Seavolution 2 - 10-1:
Sailing probably the quickest B14 in the northern hemisphere and currently being our top under 21 team, these two could provide an upset to the front end established teams. So one to watch especially if the confidence is there early on. Looking to be top 12. Running North Sails (UK) sails.

Mark Elkington/Charlie Game – Winged Monkey – 10-1:
Winners of the last Starcross TT in 2008, they can mix it and if not windy could be the SW's top boat. Running North Sails (UK) sails.

Jean-BaptistePerie/Walter Duchastenier – 11-1:
These two should be in the mix and at times show good speed. Question is, though they are good, are running an alloy rig with current North sails. If not windy ones to watch and should be up there. One of France’s two strongest teams.

Phil Murray/Kevin Rutherford – 11-1:
Second at the recent Tiger Trophy and a very useful performance at Abersoch Dinghy week. Since buying 757 Sketchwork/North Sails, they have not looked back and are now the North UK’s top travelling boat. Good in all conditions and ones to watch as they are breaking into the established front runners.

Dan Cowin/Rachel Bennet – Chattanooga Choo Choo – 12-1:
This team is coming good this year and with the boat just having had a big makeover, will be mixing it in the pack. Running North Sails (UK) sails.

Tony Blackmore/Charlotte Jones – Sailsport - 14–1:
Currently our top alloy rig team and should be running around just outside the top 10 but may get burnt by the French alloy teams or will they have a new boat. Famous for the tombstone photo shoot and will not want to repeat that but when pedal is to the metal, certainly hold their own. Running Rowsell Sails.

Stephen Hollingsworth/Chris Murphy - Smack my b**up – 14-1:
The formation team. Light but show good speed in flat water, but have a habit of been blown off the water in big breeze. More pies and beer for them. Not sure whose sails they will be running for the champs.

Chris Bibby/Scott Cunningham – AUS – Dynamic Sails:
Though not eligible for the overall title but if they win will win the open glassware. This team are here to check out the venue for next year’s Worlds. Having been one of the main players at the last Worlds and sailing one of the current top 5 UK boats, the windier it gets, the faster these guys go. Give them the right conditions and we may see them show the fleet they mean business in 2010. They therefore do not have a handicap but if they did it would be 4-1.