2014 BWA UK Championship after first 2 events

2014 BWA UK Tour roundup after 2 events. By BWA Chairman and Tour Director, Nigel  'Nacho' Treacy.

Pro

1^st           Phil Horrocks (Gaastra, Tabou)

2^nd          Ben Proffitt (Simmer, Simmer, O’shea)

3^rd           Adam Lewis (North, Fanatic, ION)

Only 1.3 points separate the top 3 sailors. Phil Horrocks (Gaastra, Tabou)  holds the lead after an impressive start to the tour with a 1st in Wales and 2nd in Ireland. Ben Proffitt (Simmer, Simmer, O’shea) Coming back in Ireland to contend. But  snapping at both heels is Adam Lewis (Fanatic, North, ION). Adam has trained hard over the Winter and once again showed in Wales and Ireland why he is the 'danger man' of this tour coming back from last place in the double elimination in Wales. It was also great to see John Skye (RRD, RRD) returning to the tour but his own admission he had a tough run of it failing to make the podium for either event so far.

Women

1^st           Justynia Sniady (Simmer, Simmer)

2^nd          Sarah Kellet

3^rd           Ping Ling

The landscape has changed wildly in 2014 as new kid on the block, Sarah Kellett, takes two very convincing 2^nd places in Wales and Ireland. It won’t be long before we see Sarah competing on the world stage with fellow rider Justynia Sniady (Simmer, Simmer). Sniady narrowly lost out to Amanda Beenen (Gaastra, Tabou) in  Wales despite strong backloops but after a great win in Ireland she still holds the lead for the tour. In between filming the event Ping also delivered strong performances at both events to hold the overall 3^rd place.

Ams

=1^st         Mike Wand-Tetley

=1^st         Mike Archer

3^rd           Ben Page

No longer the 'weak link' in this Championship the amateurs are proving time and time again that they are a match for the pros on the water. Mike Archer and Mike Wand-Tetley are equally matched in first place. Good friends off the water the fight is fierce on it. SWA Champ Ben Page didn’t fare so well in the first two comps but has all the tricks in his back to come back in the next two events.

Youth

=1^st         Fin Mellon

=1^st         Jack Pettit

3^rd           Ben Page

Despite a small fleet this year the standard is impressive. Finn Melon and Jack Pettit hold joint first place with Dan Slater in 3rd.

Masters

1^st           Craig Hamilton

2^nd          Geoff Hautman

3^rd           Stuart Tilbury

Once again we have seen an amazing standard this year and a record Masters fleet in Rhosneigr. Many Masters were unable to make the Ireland trip but with a potential discard the competition  remains wide open. RAF boy Craig Hamilton leading the fleet in 1st position closely followed by the mighty Geoff Hautman. Make no mistakes, this is one of the most friendly fleets in the pub but once the green flag goes up then battle of the Masters is ferocious.