The Pathfinder Homes B14 National Championship 2026 concluded at Mumbles Yacht Club after the weather had the final say.
Following an excellent day of close racing, sailors arrived on Sunday hopeful that a forecast sea breeze would deliver a fitting conclusion to the championship. Unfortunately, despite a patient wait ashore, the breeze never developed sufficiently for racing, and the Race Committee was left with no option but to abandon the day's programme.
That meant the results stood as they were at the end of Saturday's racing, capping off a highly competitive championship that showcased exactly what makes B14 racing so special.
Saturday had provided four superb races in beautiful flat-water conditions, with the fleet enjoying tactical, shift-filled racing and no fewer than four different race winners. Mark Barnes and Jack Kilburn, Seavolution opened the day with a dominant victory before Nick Craig and Pete Gray, Harken responded with a win in Race 2. Ben Cutler-Sharp and Tesni King, Ceto then took victory in Race 3, before Paul Roberts and Lucy Loughton, Squirrel rounded off the day with a race win in the final contest.
The variety of winners highlighted the depth throughout the fleet and the incredibly close margin separating the leading teams. Consistency ultimately proved decisive and, after five races, Seavolution and Harken finished level on seven points apiece. With racing abandoned on the final day, the championship was decided on countback, giving the National Championship title to Mark Barnes and Jack Kilburn in Seavolution. Nick Craig and Pete Gray in Harken were a very close second, while Paul Roberts and Lucy Loughton secured third overall in Squirrel after an excellent final race win on Saturday.
A huge thank you goes to Pathfinder Homes for their continued support of the class and to Mumbles Yacht Club, its volunteers, race team and catering staff for delivering a fantastic championship both on and off the water. Competitors enjoyed excellent racing, warm hospitality and a memorable social programme throughout the weekend.
Whilst the sailors would undoubtedly have welcomed one final showdown on Sunday, the championship had already produced a worthy champion. The B14 fleet now looks forward to their next TT at Whitstable and then the Final Fling in Plymouth.
Congratulations to Mark Barnes and Jack Kilburn, the 2026 Pathfinder Homes B14 National Champions.
Overall Results:
Pos Boat Name Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts
1st Seavolution North Sails 799 Mark Barnes Jack Kilburn Whitstable YC 1 1 ‑3 2 3 7
2nd 801 Nick Craig Pete Gray Frensham Burgfhield 2 2 1 ‑3 2 7
3rd Squirrel 774 Paul Roberts Lucy Loughton Starcross 3 ‑4 2 4 1 10
4th Ceto 775 Ben Cutler‑sharp Tesni King Syc 4 ‑5 4 1 5 14
5th 786 Geraldine Fermor Leaky Fermor mote park ‑6 3 5 5 4 17
6th Captains Bunk 770 Simon Hadley Nikki Hadley Whitstable Yacht Club 5 6 6 (RET) DNC 25
7th PSB repairs 798 James Gardner Anne gardner HISC (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC 32
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