B14 European Championships at Yacht Club de Carnac - Overall

Day 3 of the B14 Europeans, and your roving correspondent can report that the Cunningham's (Scotty and Dave) took a group of sailors out on safari in Carnac, with the last few returning to bed at 0500 hrs.

The rest of the fleet had a quieter night with the Merlot tree (Chez Team Seavolution/Starcross/Restronguet) providing unlimited amounts of wine yet again for its residents and most were in bed prior to midnight as the business end of the Europeans come to a close.

Who would have the bragging rights heading into the Worlds was the talk of the town. Many would try their best to make closure of the series as exciting as it could be, and it delivered in bucket loads.

Bone Work (Scott Cunningham/James Walker(AUS)), Scotty though his late departure to bed was not the last to arrive in the boat park this morning, and to defy logic, actually had a good day on the water. It shall be interesting to see what happens when the Worlds start.

So the breeze was from 280 - 300 degrees true and 12 - 16 knots and full-on sun. So once the race track was set, the prancing B14s were unleashed after a 30 minute postponement to compete in a compelling jousting tournament.

Day 3 of B14 European Championships at Carnac - photo © B14 Class

Race 7 the race track was set and two laps were the menu of the day with 50 minute races. On this occasion the pin paid with Team GUL/North Sails (Mark Barnes/Charlotte Horlock (GBR)), Harken (Nick Craig /Toby Lewis (GBR)) and AUS 375 (Craig Garmston/Louis Chapman(AUS)) led the charge to the left with Brightmile (Mark Watts/Matt Johnson (GBR)) getting into the mix. Over the race AUS 375 slipped back, Team GUL/North Sails (GBR) clipped the leeward mark and spun with Harken taking another bullet followed by Brightmile (GBR) and Bone Work (AUS)

So the overall was decided and Harken (GBR) could relax, with AUS 375 heading for second and Bright mile third for the open trophy, but other than that there was still a lot to play for. Fifth, sixth and seventh had little to Chose. Currently in the ranking was Team GUL/North Sails (GBR) and The Nude (AUS) on the same points with Trunky (GBR) just a few points adrift.

Going into race 8, these three would take it to the wire for fifth. Team GUL/North Sails (GBR) won the pin but had an altercation with a leeward boat climbing to the pin and spun just after the start having had a jump on the fleet. There work was now cut out to try and get back in touch with the other two. The Nude smoked up the middle and were in the mix into the second lap but hit a big weed monster on the beat and capsized, making a fast recovery whilst being passed by Team GUL/North Sails (GBR) who were in pursuit of Trunky (GBR) who were rocking around on the back of the front group.

Over the last half of the second lap there was all to play for with Trunky being tracked by Team GUL/North Sails (GBR) screaming downwind and The Nude waiting to pounce if either made a mistake. At the end Trunky held on to 7th and Team GUL/North Sails (GBR) spun on the line for insurance purposes as they had a close crossing on the last run and were overtaken by Team France (Alain and Francois Cadre (FRA)), but beating The Nude by one place.

Day 3 of B14 European Championships at Carnac - photo © B14 Class

So ashore, the numbers were on the board and Team GUL/North Sails (GBR) doing enough to hold back The Nude in sixth and Trunky fourth European and seventh overall.

So now down to bragging rights. AUS ended up 2, 4, 6 = 12 and Europe 1, 3, 5 = 9. So though it was close, going into the Worlds, bragging rights are slightly with Team Europe, but with little to chose between the top ten, it will not be over till it is over as the Fat Lady would sing.

With the Championship presentation to take place shortly, it looks like it is going to be a big night in Carnac with a lay day tomorrow, followed by the Worlds, and on current form, we have to wait and see which team comes out on top and wins the B14 Ashes (very similar to the cricket Ashes trophy)

Open European Championships:

1. Harken (GBR)
2. AUS 375 (AUS)
3. Brightmile (GBR)
4. Bone Work (AUS)
5. Team GUL/North Sails (GBR)

Closed European Championships:

1. GBR 796 - Harken - Nick Craig/Toby Lewis - Frencham Pond/Burghfield SC - 7pts
2. GBR 797 - Brightline - Mark Watts/Matt Johnson - Weston SC - 16pts
3. GBR 772 - Trunky - Kathy Sherratt/Josh Wilce - Weston Sailing Club - 30pts
4. GBR 795 - Team GUL/North Sails - Mark Barnes/Charlotte Horlock - Whitstable YC/Exe SC - 31pts
5. GBR 774 - Bondforce - Dave Hayes/Sean Dwyer - Whitstable YC/Exe SC - 37pts

Full results available at www.yccarnac.com/b14-race-documents.html

The 'closed' podium (Europeans only) at the B14 European Championships at Carnac - photo © B14 Class