Pathfinder Homes B14 Global Championship 2026 - Overall

Pathfinder Homes B14 Global Championship at Torbay Day 4 © Bob Penfold

Pathfinder Homes B14 Global Championship at Torbay Day 4 © Bob Penfold

The heat has been on in Torbay, with one day lost due to lack of wind and searing heat. Day 4 was marginally better but searing heat still. Some had questioned whether they had the right kit for the conditions as the experienced another light wind day.

When would we have breeze where teams could test their metal and send their B14s downhill? Friday was promising to be that day, but could it be another Thursday where the forecast changed and more light twitchy sailing with up to 2.0 m. plus swell at times. One thing was for certain, a right old ding dong would ensue and it would not be over till the fat lady sings.

Friday morning arrived, eyes straining out to sea to see if there were any white caps. Those that had been hoping for the white stuff were duly rewarded with what they saw, but the joker in the pack was that the breeze was due to swing west and dropped as the day progressed.

Three races were scheduled. In the hot seat was Squirrel (Pathfinder Homes (Ralph Singleton, Lucy Loughton) with four teams holding on to the hope to displace them, but also very aware their own podium chances were in peril of being lost.

On time, the D flag went up and fleet launched. Course was set for a WSW track, 3 laps per race with target time 40-45 mins for the first boat.

Out of the blocks on Race 7 it was Seavolution/North Sails (Mark Barnes/Jack Kilburn) with Wonkey Donkey (Mark Watts/Matt Johnson) on their shoulder. Initially Seavolution/North Sails saw off the challenge, but Wonkey Donkey got the edge on the inshore wind shift. Downhill, these two went hammer and tongs with the rest in hot pursuit. Two gybes later and with little between them Seavolution/North Sails hit a soft patch whilst gybing to be hit by a following big gust resulting in being spun out with 20 minute capsize sorting the mess etc. This released Wonkey Donkey to show what could have been over the championships as they paraded off to an emphatic win. Behind the ever present Squirrel worked their magic and slowly but surely achieved another 2nd followed by the Bandit (Glen Cardwell/Karen Branch). Squirrel needed one more good result to close out the series and Bandit was showing its intent to be bridesmaid.

Pathfinder Homes B14 Global Championship at Torbay Day 4 - photo © Bob Penfold

Race 8 and more of the same from Wonkey Donkey and Seavolution/North Sails as they went head-to-head off the line. Wonkey Donkey went right and Seavolution/North Sails middle right with Dimelza (Peter Knight/Henry Hallam). Wonkey Donkey led at mark 1 with the latter 2 in hot pursuit. Dimelza had a spin after the spreader mark, with Wonkey Donkey getting the jump on the chasing pack. Hitting the right lay line, showing great speed, Bone Work (Ralph Stanford/Dominik Vogt) briefly took 2nd spinning out and capsizing on the left leeward gate whilst dropping the kite sending Seavolution/North Sails right. The chasing pack went left and hooked into good pressure. On the meeting of the left and right groups, those that went left inshore paid handsomely including Squirrel and Bandit with GBR 770 (Simon Hadley/Nikki Hadley). Over the next two laps Wonkey Donkey held on, Squirrel pulled out another closely fought 2nd with the following four in a photo finish led by Bandit.

Squirrel had done enough to be Global champions and Bandit were looking more and more likely to close out 2nd with 3 teams still in the hunt for 3rd.

Pathfinder Homes B14 Global Championship at Torbay Day 4 - photo © Bob Penfold

Race 9 and it was well fought off the line led by Bandit and Seavolution/North Sails. Seavolution/North Sails went middle right covering Wonkey Donkey, Bandit went further left and hooked into a great line of wind and went on parade to enjoy a well earnt race win and solid second overall. Chasing hard was Seavolution/North Sails and the ever-present Squirrel. Over the next lap Squirrel closed out 2nd and Seavolution/North Sails 3rd with Wonkey Donkey doing enough in 5th to pip Seavolution/North Sails to 3rd overall.

Squirrel closed out a very consistent series, Bandit in their consistency of avoiding trouble and showing some great speed in the bigger winds a solid 2nd overall. Behind them were two of the bookies favourites having a mixed bag including spinning at the starts and raft ups, The Nude (Richie Reynolds/Lissa McMillan) having 3 OCS where they were first over the water, Yellow Bone (Anthony House/Amanda Digby) in completing all races. Other mentions should go to GBR 771 (Matt Banbrook/Tony Banbrook) fairly new to the fleet showing some great speed, Exe-Asbo (Crisping Taylor/Dan Newall) on winning their first two races at a major championships.

Pathfinder Homes B14 Global Championship at Torbay Prize Giving - photo © Bob Penfold

With 12 females including three being helms and both 1st and 2nd overall having female crews, shows that there is a good balance in the demographic in the fleet. Closing out 10 days of tight racing on Tor Bay, the B14 has shown just how current the boat is and what a spectacle it can lay on given the right conditions.

Royal Torbay Yacht Club laid on a great event both ashore and, on the water, keeping the fleet well-watered and fed throughout. Well done to R/O Bill Porter and his race team, Bob Penfold and the ladies running the administration for all their behind the scenes work.

Finally to all the sponsors who helped to fund the two series and make what would have been a good time a great time ashore and afloat.

Pathfinder Homes B14 Global Championship at Torbay Prize Giving - photo © Bob Penfold

Next it is off to Grafham for the B14 Inlands 11-12 July and Mumbles for the B14 National Championships 21 - 23 August. Book asap as you will not want to miss either event building on Torbay.

Overall Results: