ISail Whitsundays B14 Worlds- Day 3 - Consistency changes the lead

by Jane Moffat on 5 Jan 2015 The 2015 ISail Whitsundays B14 Worlds saw a change in the leader board yesterday, with GBR 761 Whitstable Marine sailed by Chris Lewns and Tom Pygall take the lead from locals Guy Bancroft and Lachlan Imeneo AUS 793.

With day two cancelled because of strong winds and challenging sea state sailors were keen to get on to the water for day three.

In what were tricky conditions for sailors a shifty 15 knot southerly saw the fleet split 50:50 up the first leg of the race three. The right lane sailed out into the channel hoping to pick up an outgoing tide with the left staying closer to shore. By the top mark those who went left held an advantage. Lewns and Pygall finished first with local sailors Ian and David Cunningham AUS 373 taking second followed by the new boys on the block Brent Frankcombe and Leigh Dunstan AUS 375.
Frankcombe and Dunstan are both ex Moth sailors, but the increasing cost of the development class, which has seen unprecedented interest over the last few years, meant both sailors needed to find an alternative and the one design B14 is it. They had have the boat just six months and have been training in it for the last three, whilst they say they still have lots to learn their impressive debut at the Victorian State titles caused a stir in the class and their performance at the Worlds is doing the same.

They came into the regatta looking for a top ten finish, however if they keep going the way they are a podium finish is on the cards. They have consistently placed second or third across the five races, the only blip on the scorecard was a seventh in race four, potentially due to a change in the course location.

With the wind becoming increasingly fickle Race Officer Peter Merritt moved the course further west, looking for a most consistent breeze for race four. Whilst the breeze was more constant the strong tide created some jostling at the pin end of the line with a general recall and a black flag start.

The top three boats, picked the tide and wind on the course perfectly building a big lead at the leeward mark. By the second round Rick Plain and Alice Walker AUS 371 had extended that lead to a minute easily taking the race from Lewns and Pygall.
The final race of the day was conducted in similar conditions. With another general recall, there was a quick adjustment to the position of the pin end of the line; a black flag start saw just one boat over at the gun.

With the words of the day being 'tide, tide, tide' the current powered past the buoys; consistent sailing and smooth boat handling were the key to success, any mistake led to big losses as the tide swept all before it. Lewns and Pygall proving consistent sailing at a championship can change the lead.

Three races are scheduled for Monday 5 January to catch up for Saturday 3 January being blown out.
Full results http://www.mccraeyc.com.au/index.php/sailing/2014-15-regatta-results/2015-b14-worlds

Images from the day www.sailingshots.com.au

Raceqs race tracker http://raceqs.com/regattas/b14-australian-champs?date=1420338600000