Following two hot and sunny weeks the rains descended for the B14’s visit to Brightlingsea on 7-8 July. Despite this 21 boats enjoyed very close racing in moderate winds and strong tides.

Excelling in the conditions on Saturday, reigning inland champions Nils Jolliffe and Jon Branch took the first two races by commanding margins leaving Tim Fells and Richard Dowsett trailing in their wake and with their hands full fighting off challenges from Dave Hayes / Sean Dwyer and Jason Andrews / Andy Ramus.

The final race of the day was notable for torrential rain and reduced visibility. Matt Snedker and Dave Dobrijevic after a DNF and an OCS finally got their act together leading all the way with Fells / Dowsett posting another second place. Jolliffe / Branch after a poor start could only manage eighth which was to prove decisive following events on Sunday morning.

After another typically quiet and subdued night the fleet was ready and raring to go for race four. So raring in fact that on the first black-flagged start only three boats were spotted behind the line and of these one was subsequently DSQ for an incident which saw the near sinking of Jolliffe and Branch (for which they successfully claimed redress and average points). With one of the lucky two missing in action, Dan Cowin and Rob Grooby picked up a surprising race win at their first meeting.

Sanity returned for race five and in a rising wind Snedker / Dobrijevic held the lead until Matt fell out of the back of the bus on a particularly hairy run letting Fells / Dowsett grab the spoils. The final race was won comfortably by Fells / Dowsett with Hayes / Dwyer rounding off a good weekend in second.

Overall Results

1st 758, Tim Fells and Richard Dowsett (Grafham Water SC)

2nd 728, Nils Jolliffe and Jon Branch (Shoreham SC)

3rd 749, Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer (Southport SC)

4th 750, Piers Lambert and Tim Bees (Brightlingsea SC)

5th 753, Alan Davis and Alison Wright (Lee on Solent SC)

6th 743, Keith Borders and Tom Prall (Whitstable YC)