International 14s Open at Lyme Regis Sailing Club

Matt and Geoff Larkin win the Lyme International 14 open © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

A tight mark rounding at the Lyme International 14 open © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

May the 1st and 2nd saw 35 International 14's visit sunny Lyme Regis the fleet expecting Lyme's famed south westerly swell but had to make do with conditions more often found on a village duck pond.

Andy Fitzgerald and Simon Macks in 1488 sailed well in the first race to take the gun from 49er duo Alister Richardson and Peter Greenhaugh sailing 1504. The next race followed on back to back with Richardson and Larkin battling at the front of the fleet in a shifty dying breeze. Rob Greenhaugh and Dan Johnson in 1500 had to retire after a port starboard incident with 1480 Rob Sutherland and Nick Marlin which broke one of their tiller extensions, they successfully claimed redress at a later hearing.

The fleet spent a relaxed evening in the comfort of the Harbour Inn hoping for more breeze the next day. Sunday morning dawned to yet more of the same light and shifty wind conditions. A one hour postponement saw a gentle South Westerly fill in and race officer Tim Parsons sent the fleet out for 2 back to back races. The first race saw 1499 Matt Larkin and Geoff Larkin take a commanding lead which they never looked like leading even in these fluky conditions. Archie Massey and George Nurton in 1476 came in second with Richardson and Greenhalgh finishing in third and fourth.

This result gave the meeting win to the Larkin's on count back from Richardson. At the prize giving the fleet thanked both PRO Parsons and his team and the Lyme Harbour Master for his patience while 35 boats with hydrofoils tried to launch in the harbour mouth at low tide.

Photos:

There are literally loads of photos taken by Mike Rice on the fotoboat.com website.

Overall Results: