International 14 Prince of Wales Cup Week - Preview

by Andy Loukes 25 Jul 2002 13:31 BST

Photo © Andy Loukes Paul Vine and Dave Dubrojnic just in front of Andy Partington and Doug Walker at the recent Europeans

The International 14 class is descending on Falmouth this weekend for Prince of Wales Cup week. The historic Prince of Wales cup was first presented in 1927 and is awarded to the winner of a single 6 lap race which cannot be shortened and has a 6 hour time limit. The Windwhisper Trophy is awarded to the winner of the points series. It was during POW week in Falmouth 64 years ago that trapeze was used so controversially by Peter Scott and John Winter. The class tradition of controversy continues and this year will see the first appearence of hydrofoil rudders on British boats in POW week. This year the class has attracted North Sails and Proctor masts back into competition. The range of suppliers who want to be involved in the class shows how strong it is at the moment. Six sailmakers, 3 mast manufacturers and three main hull designs will all be in contention.

Rob Greenhalgh and Dan Johnson in a Morrison 10 are back to defend the trophy but having been sailing other boats since the Riva Cup in May, have the rest of the fleet got closer? Paul Vine and Dave Dubrojnic have been going very fast this year in their modified Bieker 2 and should be confident after a convincing win at the Europeans in Denmark. Other names to look out for include Adrian Murphy who is leading the Crescendo travellers series in a Bieker 3. James Fawcett and Bruce Grant were 3rd in Denmark and Andy Partington with Doug Walker. John Vincze has even shipped his boat over from the USA to compete in this prestigeous series."