The battle to become supreme champions of the B14 class resumes after a break due to CV19. All kicks off with the B14 Europeans 13 – 15 the July, one lay day and then the Worlds 17 – 21nd July at the Circolo Vela, Torbole, Lake Garda. The flying circus is now in town and the party begins.
In the left corner we have the Australians and in the right, the Brits, French and Germans. The Ashes are up for grabs. Which would reign supreme with their top teams taking home the prize.
The Garda ORA blows from the south west and can produce thrilling warm winds of 20knots or more, equally the weather gods can have an off day and a light northerly will prevail. Heavier weather will suit the Macrea Aussie fleet, especially Craig Garmston/Louis Chapman, Joey Randell and Lois & from team GBR, following the last event at the Whitstable 2022 nationals showed that Nick Craig/Toby Lewis & Mark Watts/MJ raced an exceptionally tight series with Mark taking the European and Nick the national.
Lighter winds may favour the current Aussie national champions, Richie and Lissa & team Starcross YC who used the spring and summer regularly practising in all winds.
Mark Barnes previous national champion, this time with Simon Reynolds, who by their own admission have been a bit rusty will no doubt pull many good results out of the bag during the series.
The fleet is highly talented and this year has attracted excellent new sailers into the class who, despite their newness will post strong results when the conditions are right. Rumour has it that we may get further entries right up the deadline who could shake it up!
Sadly our exceptionally talented friends Francoise and Alain Cadre who are exceptionally have retired due to injury leaving Thierry Llonch & Mickael to fly the French flag and Chris Wilms and Daniela to fly the flag for Germany.
The form guide.
The best predictions of future performance is understanding recent previous results so please do keep up with the daily reports and results from the European championship that runs over three days this week. These will demonstrate just who’s on good form and who’s on great form, as we all know, it’s not over until it’s over… the worlds final form guide will published on the lay day…
You can also follow the updates on the B14 Facebook page, the webpage, B14.org and Twitter
@B14_UK
Photography from Lotte Johnson