Sail Melbourne B14 National & World Championship 2002/2003

Day 1 29.12.02

Port Phillip Bay provided a sloppy, choppy northerly for day one of the B14 Nationals today. 25 boats, including 2 of the 6 boat UK team contested 2 races this afternoon in a steadily abating northerly breeze. After running the gauntlet of waves breaking on the beach, which resulted in several capsizes before crews had even clambered aboard, the fleet started on time at 1230pm in 8-10knots.

Those that got off the start line well included the UK contingent of Tim Fells & Dave Cunningham (AT&T) and Simon Nelson and Andy Ramus. Local sailors Guy & Rhys Bancroft (Buggar the bone) sailed through the fleet after an average start to show the way home after sailing hard into the right hand/shore side of the course and picking up more pressure both upwind and down.

Race 2 started in similar conditions. The breeze remained out of the north but varied throughout the race between 3-15 knots. Most of the fleet headed for the right side of the course again with those that were tempted by the middle & left being punished severely. A close race ensued with up to 5 different leaders throughout.

At the finish line the first 3 boats finished within 10 seconds of each other with Fells/Cunningham taking the honours from Bancroft/Bancroft and Abby Parkes & Sophie Hunt (Hunt Leather).

At the end of day 1 Fells/Cunningham (2,1) are equal leaders with Bancroft/Bancroft (1,2) from Parkes/Hunt (4,3) and Paul Hansen/James Ellis (Priority Powder Coating) (6,4).

Racing continues over the next few days with 2 race per day planned for Dec 30,31 & Jan 2. Next Monday (Jan 6) will see the start of the World Championships which will be completed on Friday Jan. 10.