International 14 Easter Tray at Itchenor Sailing Club
by Glen Truswell 10 Apr 2012 18:39 BST
7-8 April 2012
The International 14 season got off to a flying start over the Easter weekend with 27 boats to include 5 central European teams attending “the races” at Itchenor Sailing Club.
Despite light and somewhat variable conditions “usual business” generally prevailed with many of the strongest U.K boats from last year’s Worlds largely dominating proceedings.
Over the duration of the weekend, two race wins went to Katie Nurton/Nigel Ash (GBR1520) while Sam Pascoe/Alex Knight (GBR 1509), Glen Truswell/Chris Blackburn (GBR1543), Dave Dubrovnic/Neil Jones (GBR 1538) all enjoyed one apiece. Saturday evening brought with it a fantastic “Space” themed fancy dress party with a truly ridiculous and lethal red smoking alcoholic broth for all. (Fuelled by copious amounts of Vodka, Drambuie and Dry Ice)
Much of the technical bar talk over the course of the weekend centred around the possible merits and failings of Glen Truswell’s revolutionary hydrofoil support strut/prep foil system focused squarely at making these extreme boats more neutrally balanced, predictable and hence easier to sail (pictured). While no definitive theoretical conclusion was reached on this matter the boat in question wasn’t outside the top three in any race all weekend so research and development while inevitably continue.
The final day saw the new team of Christina Bassadone/Damian Ash (GBR1499) post a couple of very convincing second place finishes which put them in strong contention overall and to this end the overall standings at close of play were as follows:
1st Katie Nurton & Nigel Ash 8pts
2nd Glen Truswell & Chris Blackburn 10pts
3rd Sam Pascoe & Alex Knight 13pts
4th Dave Dubrovnic & Neil Jones 16pts
5th Christina Bassadone & Damian Ash 16pts
The prize for the first central European boat went to Oliver Voss and Feliz Weidling from Kiel in Germany who finished 9th overall.