Classic & Vintage International 14 open at Blakeney Sailing Club
by Edward Allen 19 Jun 2018 14:45 BST
16-17 June 2018
This weekend saw two important events in Blakeney Sailing Club's calendar. Six of the best looking Classic International 14 dinghies put to the water for the annual racing weekend.
Such is the draw of Blakeney, we had entrants from Wales, Dorset, Nottingham (2), Wroxham and Blakeney. BSC also raced for the RNLI pennant.
Day 1
At the high tide the Sheringham Lifeboat, helmed by Chris Taylor and crewed by Kate Munroe, Paul Harding, roared into the harbour, at the legal speed limit, to present the pennant; a small collection was taken for the life boat as a token of our appreciation.
The six International 14s had the first start. A great course was set by the Race Officers, down the harbour for Race 1 using buoys 1 and 10 and back for one lap. Battle commenced from the start and the lead changed several times but in the end Chris Dunster came out as the winner from John Mason and James Vaughan.
Race 2, slightly shorter course going down to buoy 2 and back for two laps. Brian Willmot was first to the first mark and held on to the finish, with the pack trying everything to catch up but his nerve held. James Vaughan then John Mason with the others filling the minor places.
Blakeney has a habit of having different winners for each race, Last year it was four different winners over four races, this year two over two so far. What will tomorrow bring! Current situation, three boats are tying for first place on five points and the fourth on six points. All to play for!
Day 2
Once again, six International 14 boats raced. Today the all-comers were joined by Patsy Seymour in her Laser Radial.
The day dawned with the prospect of more wind and the forecasters got it right. It came from the same direction as yesterday, bit more gusty and more challenging! Race 1 was one long lap down the harbour and back, challenging was the correct word, a couple of capsizes, spinnaker problems but in the end Chris Dunster had his second win of the weekend followed by James Vaughan and Brian Willmot.
Race 2, again as yesterday, a shorter lap down to No2 but two laps. Edward Allen got of to a flyer from the start and held on to the lead until just before the line when Brian Willmott took the lead on the second lap after the first buoy. Willimott headed to the third buoy leaving out the second buoy, enabling Allen to retake the lead, James Vaughan on his heals. The leg from buoy 2 to 8 was a long run and they battled to gain superiority with only a few feet in it. One boat did not get even a boat length ahead before being hauled in and lead changed again; this was a recurring pattern. The crunch came at buoy 8 when Allen had water and rounded smoothly gybing onto the next reach. Allen held his nerve round the remaining legs to triumph on his home water for the win.
The overall standings after discarded were Chris Dunster K 853 with 5 points, James Vaughan K 935 6 points, then Brian Willmott K1136 9 points, John Mason K1095 10 points, Edward Allen K943 (POW winner in 1971) 11 points, and Andy Hunter K1092 13 points. So another hugely successful Blakeney International Classic 14 Open, three different winners out of four races, all very close.
Edward Allen, President of Blakeney Sailing Club, presented the prizes and expressed thanks to the Race Officers, John Myers and Hugh Ambery, for setting a perfect start line, square on to the wind making a perfect beat to the windward mark. Thanks were also given to the patrol boats helms and crews without whom we could not enjoy our sport, Chris Keys, Tom Brandford, Amy Howes and Bob Brand, Rod Jeffreys and Richard Kirk (AKA Nelson).
There is a strong move for next year to call this open the Prince of Wales Cup for Classic and Vintage 14's.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Sail No | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Chris Dunster | Nick Dunster | 859 | Wroxham Y.C. | 1 | -4 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2nd | James Vaughan | Alistair Wilson | 935 | Rickmansworth S.C. | -3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 3rd | Brian Willmott | J. Plant | 1136 | Trent Valley S.C. | -5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 4th | John Mason | R. Mason | 1095 | Llangorse S.C. | 2 | 3 | 5 | (DNF) | 10 |
| 5th | Edward Allen, Chris Allen | Bertie Wykeham, Chris Allen, Edward Allen | 943 | Blakeney S.C. & Rickmansworth S.C. | -6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 11 |
| 6th | Andy Hunter | S. Dakin | 1092 | Trent Valley S.C. | 4 | 5 | -6 | 4 | 13 |
RNLI Pennant results can be found here.