B14s at the Starcross Steamer: Seavolution Winter Pursuit Series Round 3

Exe Sails & Covers Starcross Steamer 2016 © Richard Fryer

The B14 Flying Circus made the trip to Starcross for the Starcross Steamer on the River Exe just above Exmouth.

The forecast was for a very light NW 2- 4 knots switching to SE 12 – 16 knots. With the B14s being the biggest fleet with 12 entries alongside the Lasers, it was going to be a case of who won the B14s and then getting as high as possible in the results. It was going to be real snakes and ladders

On top of that, after a B14 party in Exeter the night before, it was to be an early start for all. With 100 boats to fit into the dinghy park with other club boats, it was a logistical exercise, which was well run by the club's team comprising mainly of the cat fleet

The first away was the Mirror on the figure of 8 course racing for 150 minutes, with the B14s 57 minutes later followed only by the RS800 6 minutes later

11 of the 12 B14s hit the line splitting left and right in 3 knots and slight ebb. Right paid and Asbo (Crispin/Gi) led from Harken (Simon/Nikki) and Marlow (Dan/Dawn), followed from the left Team GUl/North and Whitstable Marine. Over the run, in fading breeze, Asbo extended with Harken, but Team GUL/North and Whitstable Marine caught Marlow and then passed Harken as the breeze dropped further. Off the turn mark against the tide Harken and Team GUL/North headed to Exmouth as the breeze faded and Whitstable Marine played their joker followed by Admiral Trailers (Tony/Meg) holding station near the buoy

All bar about 12 – 15 of the Steamer fleet were at some point on the leg. Places changed and many struggled to hold station as the zephyrs passed over the fleet. Some of the B14s still out in the main channel disappeared down tide and after 30 – 40 minutes Ullman Sails (Kathy/Declan), Eeyore (Watty/Bish), Harken and Demelza (Knighty/Jane) headed home.

Exe Sails & Covers Starcross Steamer 2016 - photo © Richard Fryer

However, the fat lady was starting to sing as the SE breeze could be seen in the distance. As it hit the back of the fleet, inshore Lympstone first, releasing the RS800 and then some fireballs, RS400s and RS100s, eventually getting to the B14s, and the rest, which started to cause a major compression. Those that could including Whitstable Marine, Team GUL/North, Asbo, Sooty (Jez/Sue), Marlow, Admiral Trailers and Dirty Sanchez (Paddy/Steve) were gybing 4 – 6 times work the right of the mass. Some arrived just in front of the mass, but most got caught in the up in the verbal exchanges that occurred as the fleet rounded 5 – 10 deep against the tide, and the buoy survived the experience

First B14 to round was Whitstable Marine followed shortly by Team GUl/North, Asbo and Admiral Trailers.

Exe Sails & Covers Starcross Steamer 2016 - photo © Richard Fryer

Now released, with the leaders 3 legs ahead and RS800 plus 2 Ospreys between them and the B14s, the race was on. As the leading 2 B14s eased away from the following 2 B14s, they engaged in a loose cover cross tacking upwind. Team GUL/North got the better following the first Osprey round the mark with Whitstable Marine 5 boat lengths back. Down the run against the tide these 2 gybed and gybed again as Whitstable Marine looked to get the cover on Team GUL/North. After 5 gybes, Team GUL/North closed out the leg rounding on port, but with Whitstable Marine closing on Starboard and having water to gybe. Unfortunately for both, the S flag went up and the boats finished as they rounded the mark with, Team GUL/North getting it by just under a boat length after 93 minutes of racing, with Asbo in third. The slower boats up the course had their day as the faster boats ran out of time to close it out.

A well run event by R/O John Donavan and his team afloat and Vyv Game and his team ashore, plus the galley that started at 0700 that morning and was still going when we all left.

With the final event at the Rutland Tiger in early February, it is for Team GUL/North's to lose and Whitstable Marine's to gain. Having had 15 teams so far attend the series, the turn out to date has been good. With the Europeans and Worlds at Torbole, Garda end of June, it looks like it is going to go all the way to the wire as ex champions return to join the battle to be supreme Champion.

Seavolution B14 Winter Pursuit Series Results: (after round 3)