Seavolution B14 Winter Pursuit Series Round 2: Grafham Grand Prix

B14s at the Grafham Grand Prix 2015 © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

B14s at the Grafham Grand Prix 2015 © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

B14s at the Grafham Grand Prix 2015 © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The B14 Flying Circus made the trip to Grafham Water for the GJW Sailjuice Grafham Grand Prix.

The forecast was for 9 - 16 gusting 35+ knots, which put a number of the fleet off, or as one said, they brought their RS400 instead as it was tamer for the predicted conditions.

The series would be contested over 3 races on Alpha course, which consisted of an upwind/downwind course using average laps. All starts were under the black flag and the best 2 scores would constitute the final score.

The fleet hit the water to 8 gusting 12 knots. There ware 39 dinghies with the biggest fleet being the wolf pack of Musto Skiffs (8 MPSs). It was going to be an interesting day seeing who got the bragging rights between the B14s and MPSs as both were sailing off the same handicap.

Race 1 had the B14s in marginal planing mode and the MPSs getting the advantage. Seavolution (Josh Wilce/Will Hall) led the charge chased by Team Gul/North (Mark Barnes/Charlotte Jones) and HB&R Consulting (Barry Price/Gareth Lincoln). During lap 2 Team Gul/North took the lead and led Seavolution as the breeze increased slightly, they ate back into the MPSs and RS800s. After 3 laps, Team Gul/North took the B14 win from Seavolution. Line honours went to the sole I14.

B14s at the Grafham Grand Prix 2015 - photo © Tim Olin

Having waited for the breeze to settle, the R/O sent the fleet off from a flat line. Team Gul/North led the B14s and MPSs up the beat, but lost out to one MPS at the first mark with Seavolution back in the mix with the leading pack of MPSs. Over the next 3 laps, it was a close race between, Team Gul/North, the MPS and RS800s at the front. Within the pack, Seavolution worked her way through some of the MPSs to give a good account. At the finish, the lone I14 took out the win followed by the MPS, 1 RS800 and then Team Gul/North.

Going into the last race, the course was shortened and it would be a case of who was most observant. Off the line the I14 led the charge chased by Team Gul/North and 1 RS800, whilst the MPS wolf pack headed hard left and over stood the first mark, so releasing the front 3. As the breeze started to drop, it would be a case of the MPSs reeling in Team Gul/North and the leading 2 RS800s. However, the front group kept out of each other’s way and held on as the swarming MPSs swallowed Seavolution on the last lap.

B14s at the Grafham Grand Prix 2015 - photo © Tim Olin

So overall, a well run event, where the changing conditions helped keep the mix amongst the fleets. Team Gul/North won from Seavolution and HB&R Consulting.

The next event in the series is the Starcross Steamer on the 17th January, where there are already 11 B14s entered within the max. 100 entries. As things currently stand when going to press the B14s are the biggest fleet attending. So should be a spectacle as racing is conducted on the river Exe right in front of the club.

Overall Results: