B14 Australian Championships 2012-2013 at Tamar Yacht Club
by Lissa McMillan, Richie Reynolds & Adrian Beswick 11 Jan 2013 01:48 PST
30 December 2012 - 5 January 2013
Guy Bancroft and his crew Lachie Imeneo have convincingly taken out the Goaty Hill Wines West Tamar Council B14 National championships at Tamar Yacht Club. From the outset, One More For The Bone (1MFTBone) displayed amazing skill and tactical ability taking out the invitation race on December 31st 2012. This form continued into the remaining days racing with 1MFTBone taking out 6 out of the next 10 races.
The first serious day of racing on January 1st 2013 was blown out – some considered it retribution for attempting to get the crews to sail the day after new year's celebrations. As a result the fleet gave up its lay day and specially planned Goaty Hill Wines Tour on January 2nd to sail in an attempt to make up for the lost racing.
The fleet sailed in a variety of conditions across the week, from sea breezes up to 22 knots, and down to light nor-nor-westers of 3 to 8 knots. 1MFTB was challenged through the week by Victorian boat Siren sailed by Nick Darlow (who grew up on the Tamar) and Mike MacDonald, and NSW team Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan, sailing in The Nude. Siren took out Race 4 moderate to strong conditions, while lighter wind specialist, The Nude, romped away in lighter breeze in Race 7 and 9, and with 15 nationals under the belt, got the better of Bancroft in the final race in variable, shifty winds up to 14 knots in Race 10.
On the final day of racing, Tamar pairing of Chris Wells and Rani Dabner, did well in Race 9, with a solid performance to finish 4th, edging out Tasmanian State Champions Adrian Beswick and Clare Cromarty.
In Race 10, Steve Miller and Earle Westbury of Midway Point equaled their best performance of the regatta with a 6th placing, ahead of Wells/Dabner and Beswick/Cromarty. Miller's compatriot from Midway Point, Stephen Mitchell teamed up with Adrianne Daley for the event, and managed a creditable 5th in Race 7. Megan Grant stepped into the competition to sail with her uncle Tim Grant, after her cousin Alex suffered a bad cut carrying a BBQ for a social event. And newcomers to the class, Robbie Hunt and David McAully of Kingston Beach showed they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future, racking up a best result of 4th in Race 2.
But the professionalism and consistency of the current World Champion Guy Bancroft shone through. He made few tactical errors, and had enviable boat speed throughout the event. Bancroft will next head to Plerin in France in July to defend his world title, along with several other boats from the Australian fleet competing in the Goaty Hill Wines West Tamar Council B14 National championships at Tamar Yacht Club.
More videos available on the AUSB14TV YouTube Channel.
The next Nationals will be in NSW in 2014.
More about the class can be found at the B14 worldwide website at www.b14.org.