Thrilling Finish Marks 2026 B14 European and Global Championships Amid Lightened Winds

In the final day of 2026 B14 European and Global Championships, the fleet braced for back-and-forth winds as they raced for titles. The wind conditions, although leaning on the lighter side compared to previous days, did not ditch the possibility of a rocking Torbay sea breeze.

In the seventh race of the competition, the wind direction echoed the first day’s atmosphere. Race 7 showcased the adaptability of the newest team sailing the oldest boat, GBR 711 Chris & Tash Pilling, becoming a testament to the oscillating winds’ unpredictable nature as they neared the first windward mark in the lead.

Yet, as the race unfolded, Nick Craig and Toby Lewis from Harken (GBR 801) came out on top, proving their worth as serious contenders by securing victory. Not far behind, Seavolution’s (Mark Barnes & Jack Kilburn) secured 2nd place, with Mark Watts & Matt Johnson of Wonkey Donkey in 3rd.

The final race of the championship posed a new set of challenges — a tactical conundrum with no clear favoured course side and fluctuating pressure across the race area. Despite these conditions, Nick Craig & Toby Lewis showed their championship calibre, rounding off the competition with three consecutive wins.

Their triumph reflected in their overall scores as they discarded a 4th place, amassing a consistent line-up of top-three finishes to clinch the European & Open titles. Hot on their tail was a closely-fought battle for the remaining podium spots, with Wonkey Donkey achieving 2nd in the Open and 3rd in the European title, capping off an exciting finale to the competition.