B14 Inland Championship at Datchet Water Sailing Club

B14 Inlands at Datchet Water © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

B14 Inlands at Datchet Water © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

B14 Inlands at Datchet Water © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The B14 Flying Circus headed to Datchet Water Sailing Club for the Inlands and final event of the B14 TT Series 2015. Only thing was the wind gods had not been paid and were to reek havoc on the event.

So with a forecast with iffy visibility on Sunday and no isobars over the UK, the computer/App knowledgeable sailors hit the web to see if they could find the predictions to give them a fair run at the series over 2 days. Alas they were not to be found and the emails started to arrive. So with a difficult forecast, many decided not to travel, only to be disappointed and not get any sailing in. So the hardcore local B14s and the Starcross team of Tony Blackmore/Guy Harrell with Char Jones in tow, made the trip.

So the local B14s plus one arrived to be greeted by a fading breeze. R/O Ian Bullock made the decision to get racing underway promptly as possible and get as many races in as possible. So leading the 505s over the same course the fleets crawled down to the start.

Getting away first time, it was Florescent Adolescent (Tom/Kate) who lead the charge with Gul/North Sails (Barnsie/Char) out to the left with Eeyore (Wattsy/Bish) just making the time limit for the start. As they slowly worked their way up the beat, it was a case of chasing the breeze to keep in the little pressure that was available. Gul/North Sails, broke loose and led the charge with a fast closing Troublegum (Alan/Kathy) coming in from the right. However, it was to be Gul/North Sails to lead with Marlow (Dan/Al) giving chase throughout and briefly taking the lead at the leeward gate. Gul/North Sails prevailed and took the bullet after 2 laps followed by Marlow and Florescent Adolescent.

Race 2 and more of the same but even lighter conditions. The fleet came off a square line and headed for the edges. Gul/North Sails and Flowerpower (Tony/Guy) led with the latter taking the lead to hoist first for the downwind snakes and ladders. Gul/North Sails led the chase heading left whilst the leader and 3 and 4 headed right. By the leeward gate, with Gul/North Sails spinning for an earlier infringement, the closing pack arrived and the restart began with Eeyore getting the better on the gate and taking the lead. Up the beat it was nip and tuck with several lead changes. At the windward mark Marlow and Eeyore led out to the right again, Troublegum took the middle route and Gul/North Sails led to the left with the remainder of the pack in tow. With the lead changing several times as patches of breeze arrived, it was Troublegum who snuck round first with Gul/North Sails just beating the pack there, only to see Eeyore and Marlow get surrounded by the 505 posse and other B14s closing on a new line of breeze Eeyore just squeezed 3rd.

After waiting to see if any more gradient wind was to be seen, the R/O called it a day and all headed back for the rugby and well earned beer and warm food. A good night was had in Datchet at the curry house, and live a band at the local pub to see the night out.

B14 Inlands at Datchet Water - photo © Tim Olin

Sunday dawned to thick fog, but a slight breeze. Alas it was not to be, and the Battle Royale all were looking forward to, did not materialise. So at 1130 the R/O canned the day and all packed up for the drive home.

A well run event in testing conditions by Ian Bullock and his team. Gul/North Sails in their new boat won from Troublegum and Marlow.

With the return of the Seavolution Winter Pursuit Series for the B14s, the fleet will be back soon for the Datchet Flyer and hopefully good breeze and winter sunshine.

Overall Results: