The B14 fleet arrived at Weston on 6-7 October for a UK Circuit event, which was shared with other Ovington-built classes, the 29er and Musto Skiff.

Four races were scheduled for each day and the fleet launched on Saturday into a wind that was gusting some 30 knots which made for an eventful day. The short course and several lap format put a premium on the ability to manoeuvre successfully in these conditions.

Matt Snedker and Dave Dobrijevik led up the first beat, closely followed by Matt Searle and Rich Bell, but both went swimming on the downwind legs which let Jono Pank and Rich Edwards in for the win, followed by Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer, these two being the only boats to stay upright. Dan Willett and Stuart Phillips spent the least amount of time in the water to claim third.

Race two followed much the same story with Snedker and Dobrijevik and Searle and Bell filling the top two places round the windward mark, but both bailing out downwind almost followed by Hayes and Dwyer who had to make a sharp manoeuvre to avoid Matt Snedker who was bobbing around in the water some distance away from his boat and crew. Pank and Edwards took the lead and were followed again by Hayes and Dwyer. By the second lap the wind had picked up a notch and all of those that were still going elected to keep their kites firmly bagged. However, Pank and Edwards capsized during a two-sail gybe which let in Hayes and Dwyer followed by Andy Brown and Dave Larkham. Pank and Edwards recovered to third.

Only three boats remained for the start of race three, and by the windward mark these had been reduced to one, with Pank and Edwards kicker giving way and Willett and Phillips being blown over once too often for comfort, leaving Hayes and Dwyer on their own. Clearly the race officer mistook the grimaces on their faces for smiles as he made them complete the full four laps before they could claim their second win.

The fourth race was cancelled and those that hadn’t already done so retired to the bar and the England/Greece match.

With a strong wind blowing early on Sunday morning and a forecast to get worse, the race officer wisely called proceedings to a halt.

With all three races to count and Hayes and Dwyer the only ones to complete all three they were left as winners, with Pank and Edwards second and Willett and Phillips third.

Overall Results

1st 749, Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer – Southport

2nd 746, Jono Pank and Rich Edwards – Parkstone

3rd 757, Dan Willett and Stuart Phillips – Brightlingsea