Belmont Bethwaite warmup for National B14 Titles

3:20 AM Wed 23 Dec 2009 GMT

'Scott in AUS 7, fine-tuning his start technique during the NSW Titles at WSC 2009.' Geoff Waldon

On the 14th and 15th of November a small but keen section of the B14 fleet participated in the 'Bethwaite Design' regatta at Belmont with some other classes from the Bethwaite stable also participating.

The results for the B14s were as follows:

Bethwaites - Belmont

Place Name Crew
1 Scott Cunningham Jason 'PUP' Walker AUS 373
2 Richie Reynolds Lissa McMillan AUS 368
3 Chris Bibby Peter Ray AUS 375
4 Daniel Watson Ailie McKendrick AUS 356
5 Geoff Waldon Daniel Foster AUS 299
6 Anthony House Ben AUS 150

We see in the picture above that Scott is one of those very capable skippers who is certainly prepared to risk an early start in order to get a good result. Scott gained the greater number of bullets at 'Belmont Bethwaites' and was thus a clear winner against some very seasoned campaigners filling up the next three places.

One of the main purposes for entering the event at Belmont was to become familiar with the venue for this year's National B14 Titles, which are going to take place at Belmont 16s from 28th December to the 31st. Scott and Jason have shown that they are strong contenders. Around 24 crews are expected to compete with a 'gun' crew flying in from England to compete in a real summer season event. Of Course Guy Bancroft the current Australian and World Champion in the B14 class will also be competing in order to defend his Australian title. Will the 'young guns' cause an upset?

Follow the action by visiting www.b14.yachting.org.au/ or the Sail-World site.
www.sail-world.com/Australia/index_n.cfm?SEid=0&;RequestTimeOut=180

by Geoff Waldon