Much (of value) to digest - Part II

Designer Paul Bieker analyses the key developments to be found at the front of this year's world championship International 14 fleet

Traditionally International 14s have been weak when dealing with three sets of conditions: the transition between displacement and planing mode, chop and the combination of big breeze and waves downwind. However, with further development of the rudder-mounted hydrofoil and modern rig packages, the latest 14s handle these situations much more comfortably. And this is a good thing because the recent 14 Worlds had sizable doses of all three of these challenges! Seventy-one boats from six countries competed at the International 14 Worlds held off Long Beach, California this September. The regatta was held in a variety of conditions from 6kt to 20kt of breeze, with the waves generally on the chaotic and rough side for the wind strength. In best regatta style, the event was won by the competitors with the best all-round speed and the most consistent tactics - not by the boat that was fastest in any one condition. Howard Hamlin and Euan McNicol won the regatta on the penultimate day, counting one first, three seconds, a third and a fourth...

To read the remainder of this and many other articles, please purchase your copy of the January 2007 edition of Seahorse International Sailing available at selected newsstands or by calling: + 44 (0) 1590 671899 or by email at: info@seahorse.co.uk

You can subscribe via our website