B14 European and UK National Championship 2024 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Form Guide
by Crispin Taylor 11 Jun 03:47 NZST
13-16 June 2024
Original Cottages B14 Euros / Nats 2022 at Whitstable day 4 © Jo Wyles
The B14s are heading West to Royal Torbay for their championship sharing this fabulous venue with the International 14s from 13- 16th June. The weather gods are up to their usual tricks with big Southerly and Southwest winds and waves forecast for 3 of the 4-day event.
In my book, Peter & Jane on 785 were the odds-on favourites had the forecast been light and shifty, but at this event, weighing in just a bit heavier than the weight of a couple of bags of sugar means no amount of pasta and pies is going to get them to the front this time around so let's say 4-1 for the 'jam on first' team of Restronguet SC.
Russ & Lucy, 762 are another lightening quick team when the going is shifty, 5-1 for the 'cream on first' team from Starcross YC which now boasts the largest B14 fleet in the Northern hemisphere!
Another SYC 'cream team', Crispy & Gi in 789 after their Garda results were looking hopeful for a top five but given the forecast and their combined age of 126 will settle for a finish. 5-1 and a blue badge!
Simon & Nikki, 770 are another super quick light winds team who've been secretly tuning up for the event... as they are from the East coast, they won't be worrying about cream at all which could give them a clear head for R1... if the wind drops below the forecast!! 7-1
Wayne & Claire, Amy & Dave, Amir & Nick, James & Anne are all in good form and will be near the front of the fleet at points; joint 8-1
So, to the 'more cream tea teams', AKA the heavyweights!
SYC 'cream team', Admiral trailers 788, Tony & Jamie who like a beer with their scones were last seen training hard at a bar in Plymouth and are rocket quick in a breeze.... 3-1
Barnsie & Jack with their known pedigree and terrier like ability to snap on the heels of whoever is in front are formidable across all weathers, 2-1
Wattsie and MJ, the current B14 European and World Champions have just completed their annual ritual 'dust off the donkey' maintenance schedule and have confirmed that the Donkey is good to go. Fit as fleas and lanky to go with it, these chaps are just the ticket in all conditions and revel in 20 knots plus.
Odds on favourites unless by some miracle the weather blows through a tad earlier than forecast and the B14 whippets get a look in!