Gul B14 National Championship at Restronguet Sailing Club - Overall

Day 3 arrived with sun and dying breeze. We had got used to the sight. Prediction anything between east and SSW was possible. First race of the day, race 8 was set in the upper half or Carrick Roads off Mylor Harbour with wind approx. 170 degrees, strength 5 8 knots.

Local knowledge was paramount. Local charts had been studied as the channel was complex. Were the locals being helpful or was it smoke and mirrors to claim glory. Harken could win it in eight or nine races if they did not fluff their lines or if the three protagonists (The Anthill Mob, Demelza, Team GUL/North Sails) collected unwanted big mistakes. All had been bathing in glory to only trip up and collect a discard

So RO Phil (Black Flag) Slater, orchestrated his minions to play. The Beast awoke and finally roared. The Beast (Gary Parks/Chris Webber) set the pace with the top five scattered across the course. Over two laps they held true, but finally on the last lap Harken and Team GUL/North Sails had the scent and were on the hunt. Down the final run a kite line wrap released Harken and a split occurred. The Beast headed into pressure and slight adverse current, the other two went inshore. Closing on the finish, Harken held Team GUL/North Sails, but they in turn could not hook The Beast. At the finish these three finished within a few metres as a group. Brightmile was fourth, The Anthill Mob fifth and Demelza slipped to seventh.

The breeze died. 1.5 points still between 2 4, but Team GUL/North Sails had taken 2nd and Demelza 4th. So now the fleet returned to Circus Maximus, the arena off of Falmouth at the bottom of Carrick Roads.

Breeze steadied at 5 6 knots back to 170 degrees, and turn of the tide, the track set, the fleet fired away first time. Demelza meant business and led the charge at the windward mark, never to be challenged again. Harken found a lane and worked back to second, but The Anthill Mob and Team GUL/North Sails were tracking behind third and fourth, but alas two bandits Asbo and Brightmile hit the current and lee bow and bounced them to fifth and sixth at the windward mark, holding to the finish.

Numbers were calculated. Harken had won, but all else was up for grabs. Time to be brave, time to be cunning and give it everything as Demelza had again staked a claim for second.

At the start Team GUL/North Sails got bounced and rolled at the Committee Boat by two late arrivals, Harken got buried, The Anthill Mob got caught at the pin as a shift came through and Demelza mid line was in her stride. All fought hard for a lane and when the dice rolled, Team GUL/North Sails had hit mid left (last race played on their minds) and hit the first mark with Better Than Life (Steve Hollingsworth/ Joe Tosh) and Demelza coming in from left and right.

Down the run these three split with Team GUL North Sails hooking both by the gate. Over the next lap Demelza worked and tried her best to pass but got drafted when near the turn marks. Numbers done, two players were needed between them to decide second. Up the last beat Brightmile came in to play as Demelza was gassed and bounced. Down the run Harken came prowling, and pushed and shoved Brightmile's wind shadow, with Demelza pinned to leeward being shadowed ahead by Team GUL/North Sails.

At the finish, second to fourth finished within seconds. So it was ashore to debate the winners and losers. Harken had won, The Anthill Mob had fallen away to confirm fourth, but second, low point scoring same 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s on 23.5 points each. Out came the rule book and Team GUL North Sails had done enough JUST. Harken returned worthy winners with Team GUL/North Sails (Char first female crew) second for the third time against Harken and Demelza third.

Gul B14 Nationals at Restronguet participants - photo © Patrick Clarke

The Carnac Europeans and Worlds look like they are going to be very tight with no one team showing extra pace. The difference over the top eight appeared to be race craft. So currently there is no dead certainty, but Harken must be favourite.

Classic Champs went to Loop Hole (Paul Roberts/Rob Taylor) in ninth overall, second Dangerous Cargo and third Das Boat. First female helm Kathy Sherratt in seventh overall.

So ashore for tea and cakes, Masters of Ceremonies John Calvert and Mr GUL (Mike Pickering) conducting the prize giving. First was the official overall prizes with tokens supplied by GUL, followed by the North Sails raffle for all outside the top three. Henry Metcalfe, James Gardner and Chris Wilms were the lucky winners.

Gul B14 Nationals at Restronguet - North Sails raffle won by Henry Metcalfe, James Gardner and Chris Wilms (not present) - photo © Patrick Clarke

Thanks to sponsors: Gul, North Sails, Seavolution, Visit Cornwall, Mylor Yacht Harbour, DR Building Supplies and Windsport.

Thanks also to VR Sports for the video shows and tracking which can be viewed on the VR Sports channel or tasters on VR Sport Facebook page.

Final thanks to Restronguet club and all the people on the water and behind the scenes who made it all happen.

Next B14 TT event is 1 2 June at Whitstable Yacht Club.

Overall Results: