The B14 state titles were held at Kingston Beach Sailing Club on 10-12 March. In a record first there were only four entrants registered for the state championship after a couple of last minute withdrawals.
Race 1 got underway in a light to moderate South westerly, Newcomers Robbie and Alex Hunt sailing the Hitcher got off the line like a rocket with their light weight crew combination. At the top mark Adrian Beswick and Clare Cromarty in Strait4devils rounded first in front of Steve Miller and Claire Cerutty in Phantom. Steve Mitchell and Briony Van Galen sailing Bondi Tram rounded in third followed close by The Hitcher. After the second lap nothing much has changed apart from Strait4devils and Phantom pulling away from the other two in a dying breeze.
Race 2 got underway in slightly lighter and gusty conditions. The breeze had swung to the south and at times strengthened to make for some fun rides downwind. Bondi Tram rounded in first position but was overrun by Strait4devils on the hoist. Once Strait4devils got through the Tram they remained In front to took the win. The Hitcher, Phantom and Bondi Tram jostled for the remaining positions on the first lap. At the bottom mark of the first lap Bondi Tram was in second position but suffered spinnaker problems and dropped back to last. The Hitcher and Phantom pulled away from Bondi Tram and the Hitcher pipped Phantom by a pole.
Race 3 Bondi Tram made the most of light and challenging conditions to round the top mark well clear of the remaining boats. The top mark had been shortened and the race was three laps. Both Phantom and The Hitcher managed to sail past the lay line and off on a holiday to the Sabot course. Strait4devils rounded in second place and as the rounded the mark both Phantom and The Hitcher realised their mistake and made a v line for the mark. Steve Miller commented after the race that it was the first time he has flown a spinnaker into the top mark ever! At the top mark of the second lap Phantom and The Hitcher had caught up quite a bit and were nipping on the heels of Strait4devils. Bondi Tram had remained elusive to strait4devils. At the top mark of the third lap Strait4devils was closing in on Bondi Tram. Flying down the last lap side by side Bondi Tram went early for a gybe out left. Strait4devils hit the lay and threw in a gybe hoping to keep their winning streak alive. Closing on the finish line Strait4devils got a knock and gybed in front of Bondi Tram to take the win by a boat length. Phantom came through with a third and the Hitcher fourth.
The last race was a short and sharp two lapper. The breeze came in at the start and the fleet got away fast off the line. Strait4devils rounded in first position after holding the others off who rounded right on their tail. Phantom got through Hitcher by coming up the left of the course at the top mark with Bondi Tram rounding in 4th. Strait4devils snuck away on the downwind from Phantom to expand their lead. The second lap the fleet headed right with The Hitcher heading off left. By the top mark they had closed in on the front runners. Strait4devils got the win from Phantom followed by The Hitcher in third and Bondi Tram in 4th.
Photo Gallery: www.photobucket.com/B14-Tas-
Results after day 1
Strait4devils: 4 points
Phantom: 10 Points
The Hitcher: 11 Points
Bondi Tram: 13 points