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

www.lottejohnson.com

3 B14s with spinnakers up at SBSC in 2022
SBSC Skiff Open 2022 (c) Lotte Johnson
Photography - Garda 2023
We have been able to secure Lotte Johnson as our photographer for the event at a very reasonable cost subject to some futher negotiations. She is a very experienced marine photograher and I'm sure will produce some great drone and camera footage. I am expecting to secure a deal where all participants will have access to pictures of their boat included.

 

As you can appreciate, there is a great deal of financial pressure on the class association bank balance. Additionally, we felt as a committee, that it wasn't reasonable for the association to pay the full amount using money collected from many whom are unable to attend.
Therefore we have decided to ask each boat to make a £20 voluntary contribution to the photography costs with the class associations of UK & Australia picking up the remainder on a 70/30% split basis.
Please PM me if you are intending to come to Garda, but have a concern about paying.

We will also be asking 4 or 5 competators a day to sail with the Barnsie Go-pro... my dreadful tacks will now be publically available!

Planning
We now have 8 UK teams signed up for shore support, measuring etc. The three 'musketeers' are planning the social events, one famous B14 helm said that he's going to need a spare liver by the end of the regatta!

Where:    Safety Beach Sailing Club

Venue:    Safety Beach Sailing Club

               https://sbsc.net.au/

               185 Marine Drive
               Safety Beach 3936, Victoria, Australia

When:     2nd to 7th January 2024 (2nd registration / measurement)

NOR:       tbc shortly

Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Safety Beach is a popular tourist destination so accommodation is booked out quickly.

We recommend that you book your accommodation as soon as possible.

Attachments:
Access this URL (https://tinyurl.com/yzvfzbt7)Skiff Fest 24 Race Entry [ ]0 kB
Logo for Notice of Race

Circolo Vela Torbole has now published the Notice of Race and also registration and payment details for the 2023 Europeans and World Championships at Lake Garda. Full details can be found at the Worlds event page, so enter now for what promises to be a cracking event!