B14 Worlds – Record entry gathers for New Years Day start

by B14 Worlds Media on 30 Dec 2008
Life in the B14 dinghy park at the Royal Yacht of Tasmania, in Hobart is starting to hot up, with the teams now arriving from the mainland and Europe. Gossip around the dinghy park has centred on the largest number of B14s ever to congregate at one location for one event, 52 boats and possibly more. The Australian and Worlds Title events are from January 1 - 4, 2009.

The other big issue is, who will reign supreme and what is the fastest kit. 18 months have passed since Falmouth, when the protagonists last met, and with some sail development going on in both hemispheres, all is to play for. The event is for the Metz B14 Australian Nationals and the Admix B14 World Championships

On the Team GBR front, most are running North Sails (UK) LGM05 mains and LJG03/02 jibs and SS04 kites. However, Jackpot Ovington Boats will be running Dynamic sails, Team Hyde (Alan Davis/Toby Barsley-Dale) are running Hyde sails and Team Gill (Nick Craig/Matt Johnson) running a bigger head LGM06 main.

On the Australian front, there is a mixed bag with teams mainly running Irwin and Walker sails but with a couple of boats running other local brands. The question yet to be answered, is what is Sly Bone (Guy Bancroft/Nick Darlow) going to be using as they have options available from all sail makers including from the UK. There are also 3 Australian teams running LMG05 mains and LJG03 jibs including Toxic (David Lorimer/Raf Heale), that should add spice the situation.

It is predicted that we will have mixed conditions ranging from North to Southerly and from 5 – 25 knots plus. Therefore, if all goes according to plan, it’ll be a case of who can hang in there throughout the 8 days for sailing and who will fall by the wayside.

To date, the balance has been in favour of Team GBR, but with current World Champions, AT&T (Tim Fells/Shaun Barber) not attending, team GBR will be missing one of their strongest teams.

From the inside track, listed below are the predictions based on the last two Worlds and current form in their respective fleets. Seedings are an indication of variation of where teams may finish if they perform or under perform.

Sly Bone (Guy Bancroft/Nick Darlow): Second in the last Worlds and Victoria’s main flag bearer. However, with a brand new boat and new crew for the world stage, this team may or may not fire on all cylinders. If they do rise to the occasion, Bangers, having been brides maid twice, will be hard to beat. So on this basis must be regarded as one of the outright favourites. A middle weight team. Rating 5 – 1.

Quinto Raddison (Chris Bines/Dave Gibbons): Third in the last Worlds and though they have had a mixed season, usually manage to put a good series together. They may be Team GBRs flag bearer. However, with the issue of lack of pace at times in the UK TT series in 2008, this team may or may not fire on all cylinders. They cannot be written off at any point in the game and having come so close last time, will be hungry for the big one. So on this basis must be regarded as one of the outright favourites. Leaning towards the heavier teams competing. Rating 5 – 1.

Bang Bang (Keiran Livermore/Jonathon Branch): One of Sydney’s current top temas and Australian National Champions. A team that should thrive in the mixed conditions. These two should be quick in all bar the grunting conditions, as they are towards the lighter end of the fleet. JB would have won the last worlds Australian worlds with Neils Jolliffe but for an OCS. So definitely one to watch. Rating 7 – 1.

Team Gill (Nick Craig/Matt Johnson): Nick, current British National Champion and Endeavour Trophy (Champion of Champions) winner with normal crew Toby Lewis, has MJ standing in. Having put in plenty of practise, these guys will be there in the mix and the question for them, will be their light airs performance, hence running with the LGM06 rather than LGM05 main. They are towards the heavier of the teams. Rating 7 – 1.

Last Gasp (Chris Bibby/Scotty Cunningham): Won Tassie State Championships. Both have a track record of producing the goods when it counts. They should excel in the medium to windy conditions. Weight, leaning towards the heavy end. Rating 7 – 1.

Seavolution (Mark Barnes/Pete Nicholson): These guys have won the UK TT series, Tide Ride (UK short course shootout championships) and finished second to Team Gill at the UK Nationals. This time around, having handed over responsibility for running the Worlds, can now concentrate on potentially putting their best series together. Good in all conditions, but particularly quick in the light and heavy conditions. A middle weight team. Rating 7- 1.

Toxic (David Lorimar/Raf Heale): This team along with Sly Bone, are probably Victoria’s other top team. Though having not won a major, they cannot be discounted and are particularly fast in medium conditions. A middle weight team. Rating 7 – 1.

Simmons&Simmons (Mark Watts/George Morris): These guys have spent most of the season riding shotgun to Seavolution, but have had their moments where they have beaten them. Finished 4th last time with the Stig in the front. They go well whatever is thrown at them. A medium weight team. Rating 7 – 1.

In the Pink (Richard Reynolds/ Lisa McMillan): Sydney’s other top team and finest over time but lost out in the Nationals to Bang Bang. In the light airs at Falmouth, won a race by the biggest margin of the week. When on song, they will fly. The top end’s lightweight team. Rating 9 – 3.

North Sails (UK) (David Hayes/Sean Dwyer): What can be said about these guys. They have won everything in the northern hemisphere but the Worlds. Sean has come back to sailing the B14 to reform the Dream Team. Question hanging over these two, is can they find the old magic and their fitness level. They go well in all conditions. Medium leaning to heavier weight. Rating 9 – 3.

Jackpot Ovington Boats (Chris Turner/Phil Eltringham): A team that shows promise in all conditions and as they have got to grips with the boat, gone faster and faster. With the latest development in their sail program, this may be their time to upset the top order. Better as it breezes up. A medium to heavy team. Rating 9 – 3.

Bugger the Bone (Richard Fisher/Stuart McDonnell): These guys are Tasmania‘s flag bearer. Finishing 3rd in their state titles in Hobart in 2008 and a solid team at the last few worlds. They know the waters well, and though towards the heavier end, thrive in the lighter and heavy air conditions. Rating 11 – 4.

Anthill Mob (Tim Harrison/Johnny Radcliffe): One of Team GBR’s two manyana teams. When on song, these two, will fly. They need to make sure that lady luck does not desert them and they do not hit the tide in the heavier conditions. They thrive in light to medium conditions. A medium to light weight team. Rating 11 – 4.

Hyde Sails (Alan Davis/Toby Barsley-Dale): A team on the rise in Europe, finishing 2nd at the 2008 UK Inlands. With the experience across fleets, they will be punching their way into the top group. An outsider to have an each way bet on. A medium weight team. Rating 11 – 5.

Craftman Homes (Adrian Beswick/Josh Philips): Tassie’s other possible main player and local team. Though both in there early twenties, both have a lot of experience in the fleet. May suffer a bit in the lighter conditions. Medium weight leaning towards the heavier end. Rating 11 – 5.