B14 GUL TT Series 2016
by Mark Barnes 1 Apr 2016 14:21 BST
1 April 2016
Rutland Challenge for the John Merricks Tiger Trophy © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
The B14 flying circus heads to Rutland Water this weekend for round 1 of the GUL TT Series 2016. With 3 events leading in to the Europeans/Worlds at Torbole, Lake Garda in late June, there is all to play for with the European contingent putting together a strong team to wrestle the World Championships back from the Australians.
Going into the series, the question is, who will have the bragging rights come the end of the weekend. Will it be European Champions Blue Badge (Mike Bees/Ferret), Flying Donkey – Eeyore (Mark Watts/Chris Bishop), Seavolution Winter Series Champs - Team GUL/North Sails (Mark Barnes/Charlotte Jones), TT Series 2015 Champs with new ex. Multi champion crew - Troublegum (Alan Davis/Rich Bell) or one of the other protagonists. One team missing is current National champions Nick Craig/Tom Pygall with Nick currently at the GP14 Worlds in Barbados. However, they should be at Stokes Bay with all guns blazing in their fully branded new Seavolution B14, GBR 796 Team Harken.
The forecast is for a southerly 5 – 10 knots with gusts and up to 12°C. Compared to the artic conditions of the Tiger Trophy, it should be sublime. With 6 races scheduled, it should go down to the wire, or will there be some skulduggery on Saturday evening to knobble the overnight leaders. All will be revealed early next week.
- Rutland TT (Rutland SC) 2-3 April - GBR
- Stokes Bay TT (Stokes Bay Sailing Club) 16-17 April - GBR
- Whitstable TT (Whitstable yacht Club) 21-22 May - GBR
- Europeans 2016 (Pre-Worlds) (Circolo Vela Torbole) 21-23 June - World
- World Championships 2016 (Circolo Vela Torbole) 25-29 June - World
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