International 14 at Weymouth Open

by Louise Hickey on 2 May 2007 The International 14s joined the 49ers, 12 Foot Skiffs and 29ers for a 'skiff weekend', sailing from the growing Olympic site and are hosted by the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Centre.

Two days of sailing were planned, with three races back to back on each day. The skiffs were split onto two courses, so the 49ers, 12 Foot Skiffs and International 14's race together using a joint start on a simple windward/leeward course, leaving the 29ers on a separate race track.

Race 1 got underway in a gentle Force 3, with Andy Penman and Tim Bastow leading the fleet right up the first beat, finding big shifts and fairly patchy breeze at the top end. Gybing and taking the left downwind, Matt Critchley and Dion Houghton wriggled through and led the fleet through the bottom gate. Upwind, the lead switched back, eventually giving Andy and Tim the race win; third and fourth were hotly contested, with Douglas Patterson and Damian Ash just beating the Partington father and son team after a gybing dual.

In Race 2 Mark Upton-Brown and Martin Gotrel sailing the RMW works boat stormed off the start and headed right up the first beat. Arriving at the top mark ahead of all the 49ers and just ahead of Andy and Tom Partington, Mark teased the Partington's downwind, letting them through for brief moments, before wrapping up the race for themselves. Some say, the finish was a little unconventional, with the mast tip tickling the line a little ahead of the hull, but we have been assured that Mark won the bullet. So, again the Partington's were pipped at the post. We were waiting for their revenge.

Race 3 started in a bit more breeze, with the windward mark moved for a shorter beat and to the right to match the clocking wind. This race Douglas and Damian described as a 'drag race', although others report a bit more action; 'rolling Y, tacking inside, outhoisting X'. Whatever the story, Douglas pulled out a healthy lead around the now three lap course, followed by Mark and Martin, then Charlie Duchesne sailing with Louise Hickey.

Overall a good day's sailing in a very pleasant gentle breeze; followed by a BBQ and beer with Richard Woof. Overnight the standings were: Douglas and Damian 7 pts, Mark and Martin, 10 pts, Matt and Dion 10 pts.

On Sunday we had three more races, the first at 1030 to catch the end of the morning breeze. Despite the hour all the International 14s made the start and sailed a windward/leeward race shortened to 2 laps. Douglas and Damian continued their form at the front, with Matt/Dion and Mark/Martin finishing second and third respectively, switching the overnight leader board. With the wind dying all boats were sent ashore to wait for the breeze to settle. Again the race officer was spot on and at 1300 all fleets launched for two more races.

Races 5 and 6 followed similar format, the latter shortened just as the wind hit threatened to hit marginal wiring conditions. The afternoon races brought a discard into play and were won by Douglas/Damian then Andy/Tom. With Douglas/Damian discarding the final race, they maintained their overnight lead. 2nd and 3rd were settled with Mark/Martin discarding their first race and Matt/Dion their last; final standings below.

Overall, a great weekend away travelling with fabulous race officering, good launching, extraordinary April weather, lots of socialising and great to mix it up with the 49er's, 12's and 29ers.

Overall leading results:

1st GBR 1500 Douglas Pattison Damian Ash Itchenor SC 9 - Morrison 12 with Alexander/CST 14 sails/rig
2nd GBR 1526 Mark Upton Brown Matin Gotrel Hayling Island SC 12 - Morrison 12 with sails/rig
3rd GBR 1480 Matt Critchley Dion Houghton Itchenor SC 15 - Bieker 4 with Hydes/CTech sails/rig
4th Andy Partington Tom Partington Hayling Island SC 18 - Morrison 12 with Hyde/CST 14 sails/rig
5th GBR 1495 Charlie Duschesne Louise Hickey Itchenor SC 24 - Bieker 4 with P&B/CST 14 sails/rig