Fells-Barker the champions

After tense final day on Lake Garda the new B14 World champions are decided

With five boats in with a realistic shot at the title and only one point covering the first three teams, the final day of the B14 Worlds was set for a classic battle of nerves. Conditions looked promising for a strong Ora but as the start gun went for race 9 in 12 knots, there was a big storm building in the mountains.

The fleet were tightly bunched close tacking up the left hand shore line and it was Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald (GBR 756) who rounded first and led the fleet down a flat out run. By the second beat, Jamie Mears and Micro Machine (GBR 646) had taken the lead closely pursued by championship leaders Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (GBR 758). Both of the other two main championship contenders, Matt Searle and Sandy Ramus (GBR 725) and Marty Johnson and Spike Halkes (AUS 367) were struggling outside the top ten.

As the leaders rounded the top mark it was obvious that the wind was beginning to drop as the storm moved out of the mountains. The PRO made a smart decision to shorten at the leeward gate with the Mears team taking their first championship gun followed by Fells/Barber, with Jono Pank and Rich Edwards just getting the better or Andrews/McDonald.

The fleet were sent ashore with lightning crashing around the mountains but as the back end of the fleet were making their way to the finish the storm hit with winds in excess of 40 knots. Fortunately no damage was done and everyone got home safely, if a bit scared!

With conditions unsail-able, the abandonment flags went up and Tim Fells and Shaun Barber were crowned 2004 World Championships. This highly experienced team - both previous winners of the World title - although not always the fastest in the fleet, demonstrated all-round skills to keep their challenge going in all conditions.

This championship, brilliantly hosted by Circolo Vela Torbole, has been unanimously viewed as the most competitive in the class history. The emergence of strong Australian challengers bodes well for the next Worlds on Sydney Harbourin January 2006.

Overall - Final:
1st GBR 758, Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (1,9,1,3,2,12,4,8,2) 21 points
2nd GBR 725, Matt Searle and Sandy Ramus (5,4,4,6,3,2,10,1, 6) 25 points
3rd AUS 367 Martin Johnson and Mike Halkes (4,13,5,7,7,1,1,2,DNF) 27 points
4th AUS 368 Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan (11,17,6,2,1,4,9,3,5) 30 points
5th GBR 756, Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald (9,6,3,1,4,10,7,5,4) 30 points
6th GBR 771, Jono Pank and Rich Edwards (6,1,OCS,4,DSQ,13,3,4,3) 34 points