International 14 Prince of Wales Cup Week at the WPNSA - Day 4
by Luke Boughton 26 May 12:20 PDT
22-27 May 2025
In the world of sport there are great rivalries, think Senna vs Prost, England vs Australia, Arsenal vs Tottenham, Federer vs Nadal, and in 14 sailing there is McDanell vs Penman. The McDanell vs Penman rivalry has been raging for well over 30 years. In the most recent years this rivalry has intensified and sometimes nothing more matters than who crosses the line in front of the other.
The fleet was up early with a 10:30am start planned due to a window of weather which looked like it would be possible for the race officer to sail three races. There were some tired looking sailors after the epic Prince of Wales Cup race yesterday which everyone agreed was a classic.
Race 1: 2 laps, windward/leeward course
Started in 15-18 knots with the fleet sailing out towards the left hand side of the course with Glen and Ed leading the way. McDanell choosing to go right with Penman out to the left. McDanell sailed out to the lay line and was slightly ahead of Penman at the first mark as kites were hoisted. Penman got his nose in front after the hoist and charged down the first run.
As the boats started to round the bottom marks for lap two it was clear that the left hand side of the course was the way to go with most boats going out to the lay line. Briefly McDanell got in front as Penman had tacked onto Port. Both boats were together going into the top mark for the second downwind run to the finish.
First across the downwind finishing line was Glen and Ed in 1553 followed Andy and Rob in 1569 and in third came 1567 Martin and Harry. The battle for the other places was still in full flow and flying downwind saw 1558 Robin and Martin join the fight and pressured McDanell into an early gybe for the finish. Unfortunately as Penman crossed the line in seventh McDanell had a capsize on the gybe into the finish loosing a few places during the recovery coming in thirteenth.
Race 2: 2 laps windward/leeward course
The wind was really starting to whip up with the average touching just over 20 knots with larger gusts. The fleet was clear on the start and all headed out to the left hand side of Portland Harbour. 1553 Glen and Ed led the way from the pin end. McDanell and Penman sailed off to the left hand side with a tight cross seeing Penman slightly ahead.
The wind was now gusting in the mid 20 knots and there was a few boats take a swim during the tricky bear-away. Penman in the lead went for the gybe and had a mishap and capsized. The prospect of McDanell overtaking proved to go to be true with McDanell also capsizing in the same place. The two rivals who are great friends decided the wind had interrupted their battle royal and it was time to head back to the club.
The increasing wind meant that the boats were flying round the course at an impressive rate of knots. 1553 Glen and Ed took the win followed by 1567 Martin and Harry in second and third saw 1569 Andy and Rob. Across the fleet there was some impressive shows of skill with 1484 Josh and Ali gybe drop into the finish line to take 6th.
The third race was abandoned with the wind averaging 22knots and gusts into the late 20s.
As with all good rivalries there is a fundamental show of respect and in the case of McDanell vs Penman years of friendship as the two boats de-rigged onshore.
I'm Luke and I write this report as the crew of 1527 helmed by Philip McDanell who I have had the pleasure of sailing with for the last 10 years. Philip is going to be retiring from 14 sailing at the end of this season after 57 years within the class. Yes, that is correct 57 years having started sailing 14s when he was 16 years old and sailing through into his 70s.
It just goes to show that 14's really are forever. I will look forward to finishing off the season together and I'm sure Philip will keep an eye on the 14 class as he continues to sail another boat from Itchenor sailing Club in the future.
Thanks Philip it's been amazing!
View from the committee boat with Caroline:
R7 1nm WL 2 laps, 250 deg 14-18knt. 15 boats started. 1553 lead from gun and extended, 1569 came through from fourth to take second, 1567 third just ahead of 1575.
R8 WL 2 laps 1.1nm 15 boats. 16-18 knots. 1553 and 1567 started on pin 1569 on Ctte Boat.
1553 at ww1, gusted up to 20kts at lw gate 1569, 1575 and 1559 capsized.
Great gybe drop on 1484 into fifth, 1553 won from 1567, with 1569 third, 1559 fourth, 1575 fifth and 1484 in sixth, and all boats showing good skills in very challenging conditions. With the wind rising over 22kts the racing was binned for the day.
One more day to go!
Results after Day 4:
| Pos | Sail No | Boat | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | PoW | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 1553 | | Glen Truswell | Ed FitzGerald | | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2 | 1569 | | Andy Shaw | Rob Struckett | Itchenor SC | 1 | ‑3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ‑1 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| 3 | 1567 | Synchronicity | Martin Jones | Harry Kennedy | | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | ‑5 | 4 | ‑4 | 3 | 2 | 20 |
| 4 | 1575 | Seeing Pink | Andy Fitzgerald | Daniel Johnson | | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | ‑13 | 6 | (RET [19]) | 4 | 5 | 34 |
| 5 | 1568 | Pat Clifton | Liam Stacpoole | Wayne Barnicoat | Restronguet SC | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ‑8 | 6 | ‑8 | 42 |
| 6 | 1565 | | Danny Boatman | Bill Maughan | | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | (RET [19]) | (DNC [19]) | DNC [19] | 47 |
| 7 | 1484 | Honk!! | Josh Kerr | Ali Kent | Largs SC | ‑12 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 8 | ‑10 | 10 | 6 | 59 |
| 8 | 1572 | | Peter Bromley | Hugh Maclean | Itchenor SC | 7 | (RET [19]) | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | ‑5 | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | 64 |
| 9 | 1522 | | Andy Brown | Stuart Keegan | Tynemouth SC | ‑13 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 9 | ‑7 | 8 | 11 | 66 |
| 10 | 1545 | The Hoff | Paul Anderson | Luca DeJong | | ‑15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 10 | ‑14 | 12 | 9 | 79 |
| 11 | 1531 | | Andrew Penman | Chris Watson | Itchenor SC | 8 | 8 | 9 | (DNC [19]) | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | ‑11 | 7 | 14 | 84 |
| 12 | 1520 | Hiccup | Roger Ewart Smith | James Bayliss | Itchenor SC | 14 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 12 | (DNS [19]) | ‑13 | 11 | 10 | 84 |
| 13 | 1558 | Dragon | Robin Pascal | Martin Pascal | Itchenor SC | 11 | 11 | 10 | (DNC [19]) | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | ‑9 | 9 | 7 | 86 |
| 14 | 1544 | Pamela | James Cunnison | Aidan Mobley | Itchenor SC/Royal Thames YC | 10 | 9 | 12 | (DNS [19]) | 11 | DNS [19] | ‑6 | 14 | 12 | 87 |
| 15 | 1559 | Penguin Dance | Andy Partington | Tom Partington | | (DNC [19]) | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | 8 | RET [19] | DNS [19] | ‑3 | 5 | 4 | 93 |
| 16 | 1566 | | Philip Gladman | Natasha Gladman | Itchenor SC | 9 | 12 | 13 | (DNC [19]) | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | ‑15 | 15 | 14 | 101 |
| 17 | 1527 | | Philip McDanell | Luke Boughton | Itchenor SC | 16 | (DNS [19]) | DNS [19] | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | ‑12 | 13 | 14 | 119 |
| 18 | 1546 | Jungle Fire | Charles Duchesne | Thomas Bracewell | Itchenor SC | (DNC [19]) | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | DNS [19] | 10 | DNS [19] | (RET [19]) | DNC [19] | DNC [19] | 124 |
