Please select your home edition
Edition
Marine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso LEADERBOARD
Product Feature
Zhik Superwarm V Skiff Suit and Tops
Zhik Superwarm V Skiff Suit and Tops

Battle of the B14s at the Starcross Steamer 2024

by Gaz Stewart 6 Feb 18:15 GMT 4 February 2024
Starcross Steamer 2024 © Heather Davies

With the 2024 Starcross Steamer selling out within 24 hours of opening it was promising to be a busy one. We woke to beautiful sunshine and blue skies with a Westerly breeze coming over the clubhouse. Start times were published and with a 38-minute wait we decided to have another cuppa before getting changed!

From the off team 789 Crispin Taylor & Lucy Loughton, one of the local teams led the way to mark 1 where they just extended their lead.

The chasing pack made up of 756 Paul Roberts & Guy Raynes, 769 Gary Stuart & Dave Roberts, 788 Tony Blackmore & Jamie Dawson, 766 Wayne Andrew & Claire Geoghegan were fighting it out for second place chopping and changing position more times than you can shake a stick at with some excellent close racing.

Unfortunately, team 76 Eric Evans & Silas Braund decided to inspect their hull and with missing out on the odd gust that came through fell off the back of the chasing pack.

789s impressive lead was shortened somewhat with the gusty and shifty conditions catching them off guard with a capsize too windward. The chasing pack managed to close the gap even more with the shifty conditions giving them a lovely gust to get them up and planing while 789 sat in nothing, awww!

Around 10 minutes to the finish time 789 was leading with 788 close behind and 769 just behind them. 788 tacked off early with 789 heading to the right-hand side of the course. 769 decided to follow to the right of the course. Unfortunately for 789 (the locals) they forgot their earlier wise words of not going too far right as there is a sandbank...

769 had a great front row seat ten boat lengths or so behind to watch 789 ground on the sandbank 'endo stylee' and ended up going for a mud bath! Again, 769 did not laugh at all honest!

It was the showdown between 788 and 769 with the finish looming who would make it to the windward mark first. 769 having tacked before the sandbank (ha ha) came out on top at the windward mark with a relatively nice lead. "All we have to do is hold this for 5 minutes...."

769 rounded mark one with the tight kite leg looming, the wind had picked up so the discussion begins do we or don't we... we had no choice we had to hoist the kite.

"Gust coming" bear away, bear away more, and some more. "Let's drop, it's too tight"... SPLAT capsized, thrown it away in the dying minutes.

Oh no were not giving up that easily. With the only way to describe him as super crew Dave leaps for the centreboard like a whippet possessed and the boat's coming up in no time at all, kite down and jib backed bear away let's go.

Glance behind sees 788 kite up planing heading straight for the mark (why can't I do that!?). 769 just about managed to hold the lead round the mark followed by 788 about two boat lengths behind by the finish and 756 had made a sprint for the finish who came charging up behind but it was too late.

A very close top four finish with 766 finishing just behind.

Thank you, Starcross Yacht Club, fantastic event and a great day's sailing. Onwards to Rutland for the Inlands in March and Stokes Bay Skiffs in April.

Related Articles

B14 Europeans and Nationals at Torquay
Four days of 'windy' for the fleet in the English Riviera Royal Torbay Yacht Club welcomed the B14s to the English Rivera for what promised to be a full on four days of sailing in the stunning waters of Torbay in south Devon. Posted on 20 Jun
B14 Europeans and UK Nationals form guide
Jam or cream first? The B14s are heading West to Royal Torbay for their championship sharing this fabulous venue with the International 14s from 13- 16th June. The weather gods are up to their usual tricks with big winds and waves forecast for 3 of the 4-day event. Posted on 10 Jun
B14s at the Weymouth skiff open
Strategies to keep clear air were as important as wind shifts and bends Great race management, eight races, a good moderate breeze and sunshine was the reward for the B14s at the WPNSA Skiff Open, 11th and 12th May. The B14s started with the Cherubs, 4000s and ISO, with separate results and prizes for the four fleets. Posted on 14 May
B14 Open at Stokes Bay
Racing alongside the other skiff classes in a shifty and gusty breeze Ten B14s entered the event with one dropping out at the last moment due to crew issues. As always, Dan Vincent and the excellent ashore and afloat team had everything working like clockwork managing 70 skiffs from 5 classes. Posted on 24 Apr
B14s at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Although small in number the class is in a very positive place We might be one of the smaller classes at the show but the B14 class was punching above their weight once again. With 2 boats on the stand and the very professional backdrop we welcomed many existing, past and potential sailors to the stand. Posted on 18 Mar
B14 stand at the RYA Dinghy Show
Why are they bringing an older boat to display? The B14 class association will be at stand E20 with two boats on show, a nearly new Seavolution B14, 799 and an Ovington built B14, 769 which was class winner at the battle of the B's event at the Starcross Steamer in 2024. Posted on 15 Feb
B14s in 2023 - It's a wrap!
A cracker of a season with seven events, including Europeans & Worlds at Lake Garda The UK and European B14s have enjoyed a cracker of a season with seven events including the European and World Championships at Lake Garda. Posted on 13 Dec 2023
Allspars Final Fling
67 boats take to Plymouth Sound for the 6th edition of this event The Allspars Final Fling, now in its sixth year, saw records broken. With 70 entries and 67 boats taking to the water for the two-day event, the Royal Western Yacht Club welcomed over 100 competitors from all over the country. Posted on 18 Oct 2023
B14s at the Allspars Final Fling
Great courses in challenging conditions in Plymouth Sound The 7th Final Fling was held in Plymouth Sound, organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club and sponsored by Allspars. Both hosts and sponsors did a great job on and off the water with great courses in challenging conditions. Posted on 18 Oct 2023
Skiff Fest 24 on Port Philip Bay Preview
Three high performance dinghy fleets will join forces in an Australian first at Safety Beach The International B14 Association of Australia is pleased to confirm the upcoming 'Skiff Fest 24' regatta to be held on the beautiful waters of Port Philip Bay at Safety Beach Sailing Club. Posted on 16 Oct 2023