Pathfinder Homes B14 European and Global Championships 2026 - Day 2

Pathfinder Homes B14 European and Global Championships at Torbay Day 2 © James Clapham

With day one done and dusted and any pre-event nerves dispelled, a lively south-westerly blowing off the land greeted the B14 massif today. The increased breeze brought a shake-up at the front, opening the event right up.

Nick Craig and Tobytastic delivered an outstanding performance with two race wins and a third—remarkably, that third came with a broken kicker—securing them overall first place. In the building breeze, however, it was Mark Watts and MJ who took the middle race, making the most of the significant gusts down the centre of the course. They now move into second overall.

Mark Barnes and Jack the Ripped had a mixed day, posting a 3, 5, 6 scoreline, which drops them out of the top two and into third overall.

Aussies Richie and Lisa, who capitalised on day one, missed the opening race today due to a slight injury. They returned strongly for the remaining races, although their lighter weight made it harder to replicate their earlier form in the stronger breeze. Meanwhile, another Australian team, Glenn Cardwell and Karen Branch, recorded a 2nd and a 3rd, reinforcing their position in the top five.

Pathfinder Homes B14 European and Global Championships at Torbay Day 2 - photo © James Clapham

Notable performances also came from Ryan Gerrish and Tim Brazier, who sit comfortably in the top 10. Although now based in Sydney, Torbay local Ryan seems to be rediscovering his home water advantage. Simon and Nikki Hadley also put in a solid showing with two 7th-place finishes as they continue their comeback after a long injury layoff.

In one of the older Rondar boats, newcomers Chris and Natasha Pilling are enjoying consistent form with three straight 13ths—lucky for some! Stan Bland, another Devon-born sailor now living in Sydney, and crew Gregoire De Souter (not from Devon!) had a standout moment in race two, rounding the windward mark in third after a superb first beat.

It was a fantastic day's racing in generally good breeze—aside from the occasional holes and 20-degree shifts—which kept everyone on their toes. Hard work on the water, but plenty of smiles across the fleet. With a few aching bodies in need of recovery, all eyes now turn to tomorrow for the final day of the Pathfinder Homes European Championships.

Results after Day 2: