The CST Composites i14 World Championships commenced on December 30th at the Perth Dinghy Sailing Club with the team racing event that has its origins stretching back to 1933.

The mandate of the event is comradery and fun, there are no trophies only recognition of a successful, exciting event during Welcome Night and New Year's Eve where all teams are recognised and are required to present a skit. The World Carnival has begun.

Day 1 saw USA, Great Britain, and three Australian teams, compete in the initial knock out rounds. The Doctor was in and a steady 15 to 18 knots from the south west was blowing across the course directly in front of the Perth Dinghy Sailing Club and Matilda Bay, providing spectacular entertainment for the hundreds of spectators.

At the end of the day three teams stood out with the speed and skill to challenge each other in the semi-final rounds on the second day, Great Britain, Australia 1 and Australia 2.

The Doctor was again on time and races commenced at midday in a shifting 15 knot southwester which made for close racing. The Brit team showed their speed in the lighter conditions having three bullets, with Australia 1 knocking off the Aussie 2 team.

The Finals were set in expectation with the traditional foes facing off. The wind had increased to 18 knots but was still shifty which made tactics tricky. In the first flight the Australians blasted off the line at the pin end, got over into a small southerly shift and were never headed. One up in the best of three.

The second went down to the wire. Both teams got off to a good start and after the first reach Australia 1 had boats in first and second but with a capsize and spinnaker issues they also had boats in seven and eight. The Great Britain team looked like it had it in the bag.

CST Composites i14 World Championships 2020 - photo © Bernie Kaaks

The Australians worked hard to slow the Brits down working on covering, trying to nail them with a penalty and allowing their team mates to recover. Archie Massey threw the Aussies a life line capsizing after doing a penalty. With both Australian David Hayter and Archie in the water it came down to who could recover the fastest. Hayter led Massey around the bottom mark and they split tacks up the last windward leg. A nail biting half boat length finish ensued with Massey just pipping Hayter on the line.

One all, with one to play.

The Brits took the bit between their teeth in the third heat and blasted out of the start line never to be headed finishing 1,2, 4 and 6 to win the 87th International 14, Teams Racing Event.

In the words of Tom Partington, past World Champion, "This was some of the best team racing we have ever had, the course, the views from the balcony for spectators, it was good racing."

Well done to the Great Britain team.

The State Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest is a major supporter of the Perth Dinghy Sailing Club and the CST Composites i14 2020 Perth World Championships in Western Australia. Sport and recreation builds stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities. The CST Composites i14 2020 Perth Worlds will continue until the 10 January 2020.

For information visit i14worlds2020.com