VRsport.tv International 14 World Championship - Runners & Riders
by Simon Butterworth 19 Aug 2016 13:06 BST
25 August - 2 September 2016
Katie Nurton & Nigel Ash (1557) and Neale Jones & Ed Fitzgerald (1555) during the 2016 Prince of Wales Cup © VR Sport Media
In a week's time, the best International 14 sailors will meet for battle in France. The 2016 VRsport.tv International 14 World Championship is being held at one of the premier clubs in France, Yacht Club de Carnac – with over 75 boats registered and from nine countries as far a field as Japan, Australia, Canada and USA. Big fleets are the Brits and Germans with over 20 teams from each country and Australia sending a formidable fleet of 14.
It certainly looks like a classic Brits vs. Aussies "Ashes" and payback for 2015 when Truswell and Pascoe took the Cup in Geelong. Nearly home soil for the GBR fleet but the Australian fighting spirit is something to be worried about every time they get on the water.
The Brits
GBR 1553 - Glen Truswell & Sam Pascoe
The current European and World Champions, Glen and Sam seem to be the formidable duo. Their boat Scrumpet was even crowned 2016 Concours D'Elegance winner at RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show earlier this year too! A severe ankle injury caused Truswell to drop out of the Prince of Wales but he is fit and ready for action for Carnac to defend their crown.
- 2015 Worlds – 1st
- 2016 Ranking: Podium
GBR 1519 - Archie Massey & Harvey Hillary
Massey and Hillary certainly have the pedigree to win the Worlds – Archie 4 x World Champion (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013) and Harvey – RYA High Performance & Innovation Manager with an extensive background in 49ers, so they should know how to win.
- 2015 Worlds – 4th
- 2016 Ranking: Always in the mix for the podium but will Harvey still be recovering from his Rio duties...
GBR 1557 - Katie Nurton & Nigel Ash
Katie and Nigel are light wind demons and are capable of winning the Worlds as we have seen earlier this year at the UK's PoW. Katie is the first female to win the coveted trophy and Nigel "The Machine" is built for action – astute in light weather and hold their own in the strong.
- 2015 Worlds – 10th
- 2016 Ranking: Light Conditions - Podium
GBR 1555 – Neale Jones & Ed Fitzgerald
Proved they have good form on the day and current 2016 Bloody Mary Champions pipping Archie and Harvey at the iconic UK Pursuit Race in January. The "Young Pretenders"...
- 2016 Ranking: 'Dark Horse' for a podium
GBR1541 - Roger Gilbert & Ben McGrane
Ben has switched to crew with Roger taking over the helm – both have won numerous championships. Consistently in the top three around the UK circuit but they seem always to be the 'Bridesmaid'. McGrane was runner up at the 2015 Worlds, so will it be his year in Carnac?
The Aussies
AUS 666 - David Hayter & Trent Neighbour
Reigning 2016 Australian National Champions and now have a very fast boat via Glen Truswell – seem to be on fire and one to watch for the front.
- 2015 Worlds – 7th
- 2016 Ranking: Podium
AUS 663 - Lindsay Irwin & Andrew Perry
2005 World Champions but the word in the dinghy park is that their boat slightly old school for 2016. Watch out though as they know how to make her sing in most conditions.
- 2015 Worlds – 6th
- 2016 Ranking: Hot Tip for Top 5
AUS661 - Brad Devine & Ian Furlong
Heavy weight duo and love the breeze – got into their groove in the last few days in Geelong but have they practiced enough for the 2016 Cup...
- 2015 Worlds – 3rd
- 2016 Ranking: Podium
AUS672 - David Alexander & Daniel Wildson
Daniel is the 3 x World Champion Crew with Brit Archie Massey and sails with David, a top sail maker to the AUS fleet. They like the windy days but seem to lack leverage out on the wire – maybe size doesn't matter in Carnac...
- 2015 Worlds – 21st
- 2016 Ranking: 'Dark Horse' for Top 5
Germany
GER 28 - Georg Borkenstein & Eike Dietrich
Georg and Eike have been dominant this year in their domestic regattas winning the German Open Cup and Grömitz Super Cup so they seem to be on top form leading the impressive German contingency.
- 2015 Worlds – 12th
- 2016 Ranking: Dark Horse for a podium
United States of America
USA 1161 - Brad Ruetenik & Garett Brown
Clinched a close 2016 US Nationals and seem to be light weather specialists. They will be heading a fleet of seven boats from the Stars & Stripes.
- 2016 Ranking: Top 10 finish
Plenty of boats that could win or take a podium place but we all know it could be a complete 'rank outsider' that takes the glory over the championship.
Ellie Meopham, VRsport.tv Reporter, will be bringing you all the action each day with interviews with everyone in Carnac as well as on and off the water footage showcasing these exhilarating skiffs. Best of luck to everyone!