The 21 B14s at Whitsable on 16 June were faced with some exciting conditions. A southerly gusting to Force 6 was producing a lot of white water across the track.

After a rugged first beat, Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer led narrowly from Tim Fells and Richard Dowsett with Matt Snedker and Dave Dobrijevic hot on their heals. A scarily fast run saw the leading order reversed and a large proportion of the fleet missing in action. By the end of three rounds Matt and Dave had maintained their lead and Dave and Sean had got the better of the national champions. Dan Willett and Stuart Phillips came home fourth after Fish and Neil’s pole had failed just short of the finish.

Slightly less breeze provided punishing but raceable conditions for the remaining 10 boats in race two. Snedker and Dobrijevic went hard left and took a big lead which they never looked like relinquishing with Fells and Dowsett just managing to get past Hayes and Dwyer to take second. Most of the fleet then met in the local chandlers to re-equip their steeds.

Following a night which left even the most hardened campaigners in a state of shock, there was general relief at the 30 knot northerly and pounding shore break. It was not even a marginal call and the fleet gratefully packed up and went to lie down in darkened rooms.

Overall Results

1st 736, Matt Snedker and Dave Dobrijevic (Weston SC)

2nd 758, Tim Fells and Richard Dowsett (Grafham Water SC)

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

4th 757, Dan Willet and Stuart Phillips (Brightlingsea SC)

5th 737, Stephen Barnes and David Hawkins (Whitstable YC)