GRAFHAM ASYMETRICAL SHOOT OUT

CARNAC EUROCUP, FRANCE 10-12 APRIL 1998

OVERALL RESULTS

B14s at Datchet

The latest round of the Typhoon sponsored B14 Skiff series took place at Datchet over the May 16/17 weekend. 21 boats came to the line in glorious sunny weather and wind which defied the forecast and produced some sizeable gusts of up to 20 knots. As ever at Datchet the wind direction was variable with almost 90 degrees between the different wind bands. This made for frustration, joy and excitement in just about equal measure.

Fastest through the snakes and ladders were Tim Fells and Richard Dowsett who launched their new boat, ‘Mr Pinkwhistle Interferes’, to great effect winning four of the six races by substantial margins. Their closest challengers were Robin Wood and James Coxon who won the first race and posted three second place finishes. Going into the last race Fells/Dowsett held a two point margin over Wood/Coxon and these two fought out a tight battle at the front with Fells covering Wood’s every move all the way to the line.

The other race winner was Jonnie Ellis who was making his debut in the class and clearly showed potential to excel. Other newcomers included 95 & 96 Lark Champ, Matt Snedker who improved over the weekend to post a top three finish.

Competition was intense throughout the fleet and consistency counted. Nick Haigh and Spike Daniels continued their strong start to the season and were never far off the lead as were Dave Heyes and Sean Dwyer who have quickly mastered the boat. Close behind were Adrian Williams and Pasty Vegus who have returned to form after a shaky early season.

Overall a great weekends racing was had by all and it was particularly encouraging for the class that with many regulars unable to make the meeting, almost half the fleet were attending their first B14 event.

B14s AT EASTBOURNE

The 22 B14s which ventured to Eastbourne on 6/7 June were treated to some high octane sea sailing with conditions that became progressively more rugged as the weekend progressed. After a delayed start due to sea fog three races were held in a breeze which started as a very shifty offshore westerly but backed and built to a glorious force 15-20 knot southerly by the third race of the day.

Race one saw Steve Fisher and Neil Barber make the most of a heavily port biased beat to establish a lead which they held until Tim Fells and Richard snatched victory on the final jybe to the line. Pulling through into third were the ‘Dickies’, Richard Lovering and Dick Parker.

At the top of the beat in Race two there were a brace of Peters at the front; Nick with Craig O’Dowd leading from no relation Tim and Dave Cunningham. These two fought a close battle with Dave Hayes and Tim Fells until Tim Peters spun off the track. At the finish Dave Hayes won from Nick Peters with the Dickies claiming another third.

The Dickies took the lead in Race three and were pushed hard by Fells until he hit the last windward mark. Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer pulled through to claim second and share the overnight lead with the Dickies. The consistent ‘Lovies’, current Nat Champs Steve and Ruth Lovegrove held off a fast improving Geoff Carveth for third.

Sunday was BIG. With a Force 6 forecast and most of the fleet nursing hangovers there was a certain reluctance to leave the beach. Once out the racing was memorable with a rapidly rising breeze kicking up rolling four feet waves which became steeper as the tide changed. Things were made worse by the course being littered with upturned 49ers in all the usual corners. Early leaders were the Lovies who were none too pleased to see Fells hoist his kite on the second run to take the lead. By the last run in was next to impossible to get down hill to the finish. In the end Fells and Dowsett’s superior righting technique saw them win from the Lovies and the Eaton brothers with the Dickies making it home in fourth to secure the overall result.

OVERALL:

B14s at Hayling Island

Hayling Island was at its very best for the fourth round of the Typhoon sponsored B14 UK circuit. Bright sunshine, Force 3-4 winds and big seas made for the best sailing conditions imaginable. 25 boats came to the line and after six storming races returned home with big grins and a seasons worth of bar stories.

Race 1 on Saturday was led to the first mark by newcomers Dick Batt and Graham Williamson but some downwind uncertainty let through Tim Fells and Richard Dowsett with Geoff Carveth and Chimp Hobson second.

Race 2 and another new leader as Steve Fisher and Neil Barber passed Fells to take a well earned victory with the Dickies just passing Carveth in a tight finish. Normal service resumed in Race 3 with Fells extending a lead after early leader Adrian Williams had put it in the tide. Fisher gained another second from the fast improving Jonnie Ellis and Spike Daniels.

Sunday was another ‘Big Sunday’. With a strong tide setting against a building South Westerly with a large swell it was always going to be challenging but was made even more exciting with the down wind gate set in conditions reminiscent of Cape Horn. First to make their mark in race 4 were Nick Peters and Craig Davies who held off the inspired Jonnie Ellis and the consistent Geoff Carveth. Race 5 was the time for the Dickies to make their move narrowly beating Fells in a maxed out finish. Simon Payne and Richard Kent came through for an excellent third.

With one race to go three boats were in with a shout, Fells, Carveth and the Dickies. At the top mark Carveth led from the Dickies with Fells sixth. After a torrid run Fells had grabbed the lead and the Dickies and Carveth had spun off the track. This left Fells to power round the remaining two laps to take the race and the meeting with Nick Peters holding off Ellis for second and a podium finish.

Overall:

Irish Nationals

Congratulations to Prof O' Connell and Pete Smyth, who won the Irish Skiff Class Nationals this weekend.

The event was hosted by Royal Cork Yacht Club, and was run in conjunction with the National 18 Class Championships.

Although we were prepared for battle on Saturday, the presiding 25 plus knots and the forecasted 40 kept the fleet ashore. A pleasant afternoon was enjoyed by most either in the bistros of nearby Kinsale or on the golf course at Little Island. I am pleased to say that Prof's sailing is superior to his golf.

The fleet kept to very strict discipline rules for Saturday evening, whereby nobody was allowed leave the bar until midnight. Despite some emotional moments for the legendary son of Gerald Barry, all contestants stuck to the curfew and didn't go home until way too late.

Sunday dawned bight and fresh, but very sailable in the North Westerly breeze. First blood went to Dan O' Grady and the prodigal crew Conor Barry. As with all of the races, the racing was tight with several people including Bob McCarthy and Adam McCarthy showing at the front at one stage or another. Ross Killian, crewed by Gerbil Owens, finished second with Prof & Pete third.

The second race was a lighter and shiftier affair and the lead was exchanged several times between Prof and Dan, with the well dressed hoover (A-Wear Electrolux) eventually triumphant.

The breeze was up for the last two races, which were both won with relative ease by the new champions. Strong gusts started to take their toll and several spectacular capsizes amused the onlooking 18's. Bob Mac & Jeremy took a second and third in these last two races as did Dan and Conor.

The overall results were thus:

1. Prof & Pete

2. Dan & Bob

3. Bob & Jeremy

10 boats competed which was a disappointing turnout for a nationals. Thanks to the local fleet for pulling out all the boats they could muster and tut tut to the non-travellers from Dublin.

Well done all and particularily to Prof & Pete.

B14 INLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

The B14 Inland Championships were hosted by Queen Mary over the very windy weekend of 24/25 October. Saturday proved to be un-sailable with severe gales forecast and the fleet gratefully retired to the safety of some west end bars.