The B14 flying circus arrived at Starcross for the Streamer, to be greeted by a southeast wind of 20 – 30 knots. Taking the forecast into account, a number of the travelling teams decided not to travel. This did not stop a record entry for the race over a figure of eight course. With ring masters John Donovan and Mark Elkington in charge, it was going to be a great event.

As the B14s launched, a number of the early starters were returning ashore after finding the conditions overwhelming.

The 5 B14s that hit the water, charged off the start line into the full force of the conditions led by Asbo (Crispin Taylor/Guy Farell) chased by Seavolution 1 (Mark Barnes/Dan Hare). By the windward mark Seavolution 1 had passed Asbo with Flower Power (Tony Blackmore/Charlotte Jones), GBR789 (Steve Hollingworth/Chris Murphy) and GBR631 (Michael Commander/Andrew Commander) in pursuit. With stacking seas it was game on, with the conditions meaning no one hosting kites. Shortly after going onto the run, Asbo’s helm was washed off the back of the boat causing them to capsize releasing Seavolution 1 to chase the fleet down. With GBR789 and Flower Power giving chase, there was only the foiling moth starting behind the B14s, so all were focused on the boats ahead.

After one lap, the leading B14 were starting to break into the Merlin Rockets and RS400’s. Flower Power was the next boat to fall fowl and hit the tide, leaving GBR789 to take up the challenge of chasing Seavolution 1. Over the next 2 lap with the conditions requiring even greater teamwork, Seavolution 1 was going airborne showing the tip of their plate, the kite the stayed firmly in the bag!

With the wind increasing, the spectacle was a feast for onlookers which by now only included 2 B14s, Seavolution 1 and GBR789 left on the course. Going into lap 4, Seavolution 1 had the leading Fireballs and Merlin Rockets in their sights approx a leg and a half in front. Coming into the leaward mark, Seavolution 1 had a minor gear failure and with the building conditions, called it a day.

GBR789 the last B14 took up the charge but due to Steve Hollingworth, losing his glasses on a capsize, so blinded, also retired to the shore, putting all the B14’s out, leaving approx 26 boats racing, for the last 30 minutes of the race. Out of the competitors that launched, only a handful were brave enough to hoist kites,

With no B14’s finishing, each boat that turned up will carry equal 5^th into the next event at Rutland Water, the Tiger Trophy. The B14 class would like to thank North Sails One Design Europe for their donated prizes which will be added to the prize list at the end of the series.

Due to the quick closure of entries to the Steve Nicholson Memorial, catching the B14s and Musto Skiffs on the hoop, Seavolution will be moving the 4^th event to the Hoo Freezer March 11 - 12^th to enable to fleet to enjoy some close racing.

All photos (C) Tom Gruitt