B14s at the Ovington Boat Show Grand Prix 2009

B14 racing during the Ovington Boat Show Grand Prix 2009 © James Hamilton

B14 racing during the Ovington Boat Show Grand Prix 2009 © James Hamilton

The final weekend of the London Boat Show at ExCel included the Ovington Grand Prix event which the B14s again shared with the Musto Skiffs and the 29ers.

Despite the forecasted gales during the weekend a relatively decent window in the weather greeted the 8 teams sailing on the Royal Victoria Dock; a good turn out given half of the fleet were still absent or en-route back from the recent World Championships in Hobart.

Three short back to back races with no discard kept the fleet on their toes. In Race 1 Ronstan (771 Mike Bees/ Ferrett) made a strong start and retained a solid lead for the 2 laps to take the first bullet. Behind them, a battle ensued for the minor places between 769 Dan Cowin/Rachel Bennett, the newly repaired Axciom (761 Mark Emmett/George ‘still jet-lagged’ Morris) and Hyde Sails (753 Charlie Walters/Toby Barsley-Dale). 769 looked good for second place on the final downwind leg only to be overhauled at the doldrums near the leeward mark by Axciom.

Race 2 saw Ronstan take another convincing second win, despite the wind easing and switching to the south west, leading to even trickier gusts and holes around the waterside buildings. It was snakes and ladders behind with Hyde Sails and 769 looking good for ‘best of the rest’ at various stages of the race. However Dry Shirt UK (757 Phil Murray and Kevin Rutherford) found their form on the final lap take second followed by Axiom.

The overall scores at this stage behind Ronstan and Axiom saw a three way tie for third place overall between 769, Hyde Sails and Dry Shirt UK so there was all to sail for the final podium place.

The final race was a one lap affair in a now very light fickle breeze. With the boats struggling to fill their kites downwind, Axciom led a closely formed pack which further compressed in a light patch under the bridge. They held on to win the race from Ronstan who comfortably wrapped up the event. 769 was lucky to recover from a shocking start and benefited from clearer pressure on the spectator shore downwind enabling a late run from the back of the pack, but they had to settle for fourth in this race behind Dry Shirt UK, who secured a well deserved third overall.

The prize giving took place on the main stage in the show with some great prizes donated by Harken.

Thanks to Ovington Boats and National Boat Shows for organising the racing, Richard Parslow for the live commentary, and finally, thanks to those who helped out manning the B14 display on the waterside concourse.

Overall Results: