Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

International 14 Prince of Wales Cup race from the perspective of the uninitiated

by Jock Calvert 27 Aug 2021 05:21 PDT
Jock Calvert and Emily Covell in the I14 Prince of Wales Challenge Cup race © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Our first POW race proved to be an epic - what an amazing race! In conditions that got pretty fresh to frightening, we saw 14 racing in a whole different light! It all started the night before though...

With a booming forecast for the race time of 1300, the decision was made to bring the race forward to 1100, with the hope of getting some fairer weather. The problem was this, was that it forced everyone to make some tough equipment decisions - do you rig big for the first part of the race, or rig small and come back charging in the later stages?

For Emily and I we got to the club and instinctively (and likely with trepidation in our hearts) rigged our small kit, and raked well back ready for a foam up. However it soon became clear that the rest of the fleet wasn't following suit, and were rigging big. So against our better judgement we did the same, and left the beach feeling very nervous indeed.

For the first lap and half, it seemed to be the right call! But as you may have expected, it quickly became a handful. With winds over 20 knots and massive sea, the sails were inside out most of the time! Every manoeuvre became a safety manoeuvre, and I was regularly calling for Em to overtrim the kite downwind to slow it down as we looked at some massive drops over the waves in front of us.

Somehow, amidst the carnage that some found themselves in, we made it home! To complete just under 2.5 hours of racing in those conditions gave us a huge sense of satisfaction as we crossed the line - we totally understand why people are addicted to this race and what draws them back year after year.

Some interesting perspectives from a pair of newbies: the race really isn't over until it's over. We totally biffed the massive first upwind, but just by keeping our heads down we managed to find the back of the fleet and move through some of them (although without quite the decisive speed of Dan and Alex, whose comeback was exceptional).

It was also apparent how the race is anything but a procession. These boats are too lively for anything to be a sure thing, and there was always a position to defend or a boat in front to attack! We had to be switched on for the entire thing.

Some fun moments from the race: We had the most unusual duel throughout the race with Andy and Rob, who had broken their kite halyard early in the race but were soldiering on. We got past them on the downwind in a fury of rushed comms and white water as they sat on the racks, chilling, likely laughing at our out of control-ness.

They would then proceed to roll us upwind with their hugely superior boat speed, seemingly rolling directly over us just to exert their dominance perhaps. This repeated over about four laps, ending in us finishing less than 30 seconds behind them on the line.

But as a singular race, we've never done anything quite like it. It doesn't compare to anything else, and it's something that will live with both of us. If you haven't done one, then I would dare you to try it out and then say that you don't want another crack - we certainly will be back!

Related Articles

International 14 Perry Pot day 1
Perfect twin wire conditions at Itchenor Sunday was a classic Perry Pot weekend to start off the series. Clear weather with the air temperature starting to drop for the year, the water having not dropped off quite yet but more importantly the breeze was 13-17 knots perfect twin wire conditions. Posted on 20 Nov
International 14 Firecracker at Itchenor
A weekend dominated by variable, mostly light, winds A weekend dominated by variable, mostly light, winds and Easterlies in generally warm, gloomy conditions. Posted on 13 Nov
Affordable Precision: How Atto Changes the Game
Weighing just 75g and capable of measuring 250 kg working load Digitalisation has changed sailing. Technologies once reserved for Grand-Prix are permeating every level of the sport, giving sailors the ability to adopt elite racing and training practices - elevating the game across the board. Posted on 4 Nov
International 14 Autumn Pint at Itchenor
A keen eye was kept on the forecast with Storm Ashley due to roll in on Sunday Itchenor SC welcomed the i14 for the annual Autumn double header, the Autumn Pint and Autumn Trophy, with 9 boats and 2 races planned each day a keen eye was kept on the forecast with Storm Ashley due to roll in on Sunday. Posted on 25 Oct
Trickle Down Technology from the America's Cup
The ultimate proving ground often shape the future of the sport The America's Cup has always been about more than just what happens on the water - it's a catalyst for technological innovation that pushes the boundaries of what's possible. Posted on 2 Sep
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda overall
With the title decided, the battle was on for the podium places on the final day With the 2024 Champions already crowned, the final day of racing set up a Battle Royale for the remaining Podium Places, with three boats within three points of each other. Posted on 11 Aug
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda Day 6
Shaw and Struckett take first I14 world title Andy Shaw and Rob Struckett take the 2024 International 14 World Championship with a day to spare. The British team continued their faultless series with a steady 2nd place in tricky conditions at Torbole, Lake Garda. Posted on 9 Aug
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda Day 5
Andy Shaw and Rob Struckett move closer to their first i14 world title Andy Shaw and Rob Struckett move closer to their first i14 world title after sailing an incredibly consistent series to date. The young guns from Itchenor Sailing Club have shown a click of speed on their rivals with an impressive score line of 2,1,1,4,1. Posted on 8 Aug
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda Day 1
First race for the 70 boats held in a building Ora breeze Day one of the I14 Worlds saw seventy boats from seven nations starting in a building Ora breeze in Torbole, Lake Garda. Posted on 3 Aug
62nd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy
Excellent event included fund raising for the Great North Air Ambulance Service Over its 62 years, the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy run by Ullswater Yacht Club, has evolved into a 3 day festival of sailing, centred on an unique pair of all class handicap races in breath-taking scenery, for dinghies, keelboats and yachts. Posted on 18 Jul
Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERTrinidad and Tobago - Sail Service Stay