B14 SKIFF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

North Sails Powers The Podium

30 boats met at the Yacht Club de Carnac for the annual B14 World Championships. With close competition all round, particularly for the top ten boats in the fleet, it came down to the last day of racing to determine who would would be fit for a podium finish.

The final day was tense and particularly exciting for the top two boats; current UK National Champions, Nick Craig/Toby Lewis (GBR 796) and Craig Garmston/Louis Chapman (AUS 375). The fleet were held ashore waiting for the wind to arrive and when it did they headed straight out, eager to get two races in before the shortened last day.

In a variable 3-5 knots, race one was straight underway with AUS 375 out in front and Mark Barnes/Charlotte Horlock (GBR 795) chasing closely behind. French team, Alaine Cadre/Francois Cadre (FRA 773) charged up the middle with impressive speed, but they lost out after hitting the windward mark. GBR 795 also had a stroke of bad luck, picking up seaweed on their foils resulting in a tough, slow upwind beat.

Going into the last race, the top two boats were dangerously close in points so the title was all to play for. GBR 796 had a fantastic start coming up the beat in top position with AUS 375 sailing fast, but buried in the fleet. As the race unraveled, the front three remained ahead of the fleet, finishing with GBR 796 taking their sixth bullet of the regatta to win the World Championship title.

Winning team Nick Craig and Toby Lewis raced with a full North Sails inventory, including the LGM-8 Mainsail, LJ-4D Jib and SS-04 Asymmetric Spinnaker.

‘’With eight of the top ten boats racing with North Sails, our B14 sail designs continue to contribute towards winning boat speed and top end results, no matter what the conditions.‘’ Rich Bell, B14 Class Expert.

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