NSW B14 State Titles 2025

Australia

16 Nov

By Lissa McMillan.

The sun was shining on the first day of the B14 NSW State Titles at Woollahra Sailing Club on the 1st November 2025.

Unfortunately, the wind was not blowing at all, so the 9 boats, some of which had travelled from as far as Tasmania and Melbourne, were treated to a drifter on the beautiful Sydney Harbour.

It was textbook Nude weather, and Richie and Lissa (sailing in The Nude AUS800) duly took the three bullets on offer. It wasn’t without drama and very stiff competition – Nick Richardson and Natalia Wisniewska (Apparent AUS779) dominated in Race 1, only to have The Nude pip them on the finish line by a fingernail after being OCS at the start.

Race Officer John Allan swung the course for the changing breeze direction (sort of Southeast-ish) in Race 2, shortening the leg length, but increasing the race to 3 laps.

By Race 3, the breeze totally dropped out, with the RO shortening the race after 2 laps, but even so 5 boats timed out.

B14s in light and shifty conditions at the NSW B14 State Titles 2025.

Day 2 saw slightly more breeze, and Craig Garmston and Paul Fleming (Snatch AUS 375) returned to their winning ways, taking out Races 4 and 5. Tim Brazier and Katy Denney (B Flat AUS353) really found their mojo on the second day of racing, with an impressive 2nd in Race 4 plus a 3rd in Race 5, cementing them firmly as eventual winners on handicap.

Tim and Katy sailing in B Flat (AUS353) finding the wind on Day 2, going on to win the event on handicap.

The Nude left her best race until last and won Race 6 and the NSW State Titles, with Craig and Paul not being able to regain the attractive coathanger trophy they had taken out last year.

Richie and Lissa sailing in The Nude (AUS800) on Day 2 of the NSW B14 State Titles 2025.

Glenn Cardwell and Karen Branch (Bandit AUS 793) had a consistent regatta with four thirds, but it wasn’t enough to push Nick and Nat off the podium for 3rd place.

Stan Bland and Erica Huber (Pretty in Pink AUS 780) had some tremendous starts, and great pace, and Andy Harper and Jay Windsor (Green Machine AUS 378) led the fleet to the top mark in one race. Anthony House (Yellow Bone AUS 357) sailed with Cameron and Amanda blitzing the first work in Race 5.

The very Presidential Ryan Gerrish (the NSW B14 Class Association President), sailing with Dominik Vogt, used the opportunity to officially rename AUS 368 The Significant Other, with champagne and appropriate speeches and much applause. Thanks also to Ryan for organising the banquet on Saturday night at the local restaurant Jewel on the Bay.

AUS368 was officially renamed The Significant Other at a naming ceremony on Saturday evening, with former owner Lissa McMillan, christening the bow with champagne.

After two days and six races it was Richie and Lissa sailing in The Nude who won the series on 9 points, Craig and Paul in Snatch visiting from Victoria in second and Nick and Natalia in Apparent visiting from Tasmania third on the podium.

On handicap, it was Tim and Katy in B Flat who sailed to first place, followed by Andy and Jay in Green Machine in second and Stan and Erica in Pretty in Pink coming third.