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The 2002 Flying Fifteen Results Archive
Datchet Water Sailing ClubWinter Warm-up Series 2002
Sunday February 3rdEleven boats entered the Series which began in overcast conditions with a shifty force 4 breeze. Olympic type courses were set with three laps in each race.Current World Champion Charles Apthorp crewed by brother David set the pace off the line and maintained their lead throughout. Second to the windward mark was Gerry Sheard and Howard Shawyer but Ann Lane helming Tim Hammick, gradually pulled ahead of the following fleet to overhaul Sheard/Shawyer on the second lap and maintained second position by a boat length on the finishing line. The wind abated somewhat for the second race, but again the Apthorps lead the way round with Sheard/Shawyer in second spot. There was close racing in the main fleet but again Ann Lane and Tim Hammick pulled ahead to finish third. Sunday February 10thA blustery Force 4 prevailed increasing to a gusty 5. Brett Dingwall crewed by son Ben mastered the conditions in the first race to take the honours followed by Charles Apthorp crewed by Dave Ricards, with Ann Lane and Tim Hammick in third spot. In the second race, the same result appeared to be on the cards, but somewhere Brett went wrong and the Lane/Hammick duo stormed through to finish first with Apthorp/Ricards in second place. Other visitors and the home fleet had a boisterous time battling it out in testing conditions some way behind the leaders.Sunday February 17thMist and light airs greeted the fleet which got off the line to a nerve-wracking first beat; Datchet fleet members Richard Hughes and crew Allen Atterbury were first to the windward mark and they maintained their lead to the last leg of a shortened two-lap race. The Dingwalls had been threatening and eventually pulled through to take the lead on the final run. Charles Apthorp and Dave Ricards had been well behind after the first lap but found the right way down the last spinnaker leg to finish second, with Hughes/Atterbury in third position. The remaining fleet had a fretful run in fickle breezes, and all were relieved that further racing was abandoned.Sunday February 24thOvercast and a shifty Force 4 breeze set in for the first race. The Apthorp/Ricards team got into the lead on the first beat and maintained their position with the Dingwalls in second followed by Ann Lane in third. The Dingwalls gained a huge lead in the second race only to lose their position due to an error at the finish, and so the same result was recorded as in the first race. There was intense jockeying for position and great fun had by all in the following fleet.
Report from Gerry Sheard
DATCHET WATER SAILING CLUB9th and 10th March 2002MERCEDES BENZ TROPHYThis was a memorably windy weekend. Saturday began with a stiff south-westerly but by the time racing was due to start the water was a mass of white horses, substantial waves were breaking over the jetties and the race officer's decision to abandon seemed amply justified as one of the fifteens was literally blown off its trailer.Sunday was more manageable though with gusts of 30 knots coming through. The first race saw very close competition among the leading pack; Charles Apthorp and David Ricards were in the lead but a capsize on the run didn't help, and they were overtaken by Pip and Jeremy Hudson from Broxbourne who eventually finished first with Brett and Ben Dingwall in third. In the second race Charles and David got well ahead of the fleet having been bold enough to hoist spinnaker on the first close reach. It was then a race for second place. Unfortunately Ann Lane and Tim Hammick who were well positioned, caught a sheet round a buoy which gave the Dingwalls the opportunity to get through into second place with the Hudsons in third. After lunch the wind was building and forecast to increase and so again the race officer had to abandon which was a popular decision for many of the fleet who had experienced some very eventful sailing in the morning. And so sadly a five race event and the award of the Mercedes Benz Trophy had to be settled on the results of two races.
Report from Gerry Sheard
Bewl Valley Sailing Club23rd and 24th March 2002The weekend of 23/24 March saw Bewl at its best, with 29 boats enjoying the sunshine and light winds, although Bewl, as usual, reserved some indecent wind shifts and black holes for the unwary. Two races were sailed on Saturday back to back and two on Sunday. Race 1 was a benefit for the local boats with Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan taking the gun, closely followed by Jonathon and Gill Hill. Race 2 again saw a local boat of Judy and Bill Walker first to the windward mark, but eventually surrendering the lead to Alan Bax and Paul Busby of Hayling Island, with the brand new boat of Paddy McFarlan and George Kingsnorth in second place. On Sunday morning the wind gave the Race Officer, Martin Brooking, some trouble until it eventually settled down and allowed the fleet to get away cleanly. Alan Bax and Paul Busby again showed the fleet the way home by recording their second win. The last race allowed Pip Hudson, crewed by 14-year old daughter Alice, to demonstrate their light air skills as they led the fleet from start to finish. The whole weekend showed the popularity of Flying Fifteens at Bewl, as over half the fleet were local boats, proving Bewl as a centre of excellence for Flying Fifteen sailing in the South-East. Results
Report from Noel West
Grafham Water Sailing Club20th - 21st AprilAn excellent entry of 40 ffs including 10 Classic and Silver fleet boats made it to Grafham for the "Grafham Hull" open meeting. Saturday morning started with the forecast southerly 5mph winds giving just about enough wind to race, and some major shifts for the OOD Mike Beloe. These conditions were to make for an interesting days sailing for everyone involved with different winners for every race. Race 1 got away on time and was won by Brett and Ben Dingwall after some hard competition from Colin Nutt/Chris Hough, and locals Peter Waghorn/Pip Noon who had led the field for some time. Neil Platt and Howard Green followed in 4th and 5th respectively, with eventual event winner Justin Waples 6th. Classic fleet was won by some margin by locals David and Carole Duke. Race 2 started with a general recall followed instantly by the black flag. Miles Odell/Chris Hewkin went hard right up the first beat and then made it more or less a "horizon" job. Mike and Anne St Paer followed in 2nd for some time, but were reeled in by Neil Platt/Andy Weatherspoon who passed to finish 2nd. Peter Walters/John Allen were 4th, followed again by Peter Wagorn/Pip Noon 5th, Justin Waples 6th. Classics were also won by a different team, this time Roger Finch from Middle Nene in a newly acquired Irish Windy. Shifty conditions continued for Race 3 with three local teams at the front - Simon Kneller/Ollie Dingwall 1st, Brian Thake/Richard Ledger 2nd, Miles Odell/Chris Hewkin 3rd. This left the Waghorn/Noon team as overnight leaders equal on points with Justin Waples/Graham Wadeley, and Pete Walters, Brett Dingwall and Neil Platt all equal one point behind. The Classic fleet had enjoyed an equally varied days sailing with Jeremy Arnold from Notts County the third race winner, and also the Classic fleet overnight points leader. All to play for on Sunday, which started with a slightly stronger but shifting force 2 Southerly with some occasional gusts providing some hope of more wind as the day progressed. Starting again under the black flag, which this time caught some teams out, going left looked good on the first beat, but turned out to be a disaster for a number of teams as they came back into the windward mark. Race 4 was won by Justin Waples, with Brett Dingwall 2nd, Pete Walters 3rd, and the Classics were won again by Roger Finch. Race 5 was won by Alan Bax/Simon Childs, followed by Miles Odell 2nd, and Justin Waples 3rd, with Classics won in spectacular style by David Duke in 4th overall. With one discard this left Justin Waples ahead on points but the next 5 boats within 3 points of each other. In the classic fleet, the Dukes were now ahead of Roger Finch with Jeremy Arnold 3rd. At last the wind came in, and Race 6 was won convincingly by Pete Walters/John Allen in a good force three with some nice gusts. Miles Odell was 2nd, giving him second overall, with Justin Waples 3rd, confirming Waples as the overall winner. In the classics, David Duke stayed ahead to win overall despite an excellent last race by Jeremy Arnold. Final results are shown below for what had been a very tricky and varied event, run very smoothly by Mike Beloe and the GWSC team. Overall Results:
Classic Fleet Results:
Report from Mike de St Paer
Dovestone Sailing Club27th -28 th April In the Open event David McKee, sailing with daughter Emily, proved to be the master of some very difficult sailing conditions, counting three first places. They were beaten in the first race by Ian Jones and Nathan Poulton, sailing their new boat, but as the weather deteriorated with squally showers and heavy gusts, David and Emily dominated and Ian and Nathan had to settle for second place overall. Following closely in third place were Adrian Tattersall and Tim Stuart from Bala SC,who counted two second places and a fourth. It is a credit to the quality of the boats and the sailors that there were no retirements in the final race, when conditions were very challenging. Silver Fleet, 1st 3083 Brian Glover and Ben O'Hana (Draycote)
In the Classic Fleet David Naylor and Norman Christie had a frustrating time in the first two races. In each they led for most of the race, only to be passed coming to the final mark by Nick Heath and Ted Legg. Nick and Ted finished clear winners, with three first places while David and Norman were second overall. John Orchard and Jeremy Arnold moved in to third place when they were the only finishers in the final Classic race. The Concours d'Elegance winners were Graham Lamond in 617 (Fettercairn) and John Orchard in 2700 (Ffrolich). Classic Final Result
Report from Len Gabriels
Royal Windermere Yacht Club4th - 6th MayTen visitors came to Windermere for the three-day Bank Holiday Open Meeting, giving the promise of competitive sailing. Saturday’s race was scheduled for 2.30 p.m., and after a pleasant, sunny morning, with very light south-east and south-west breezes, a last-minute decision was made to send the fleet into North lake in anticipation of the forecast northerlies. As support boats prepared to tow some of the fleet to the start, the breeze came up strongly from the north, and the fleet gathered for the start. A classic Olympic-style course was set, based on a long beat up to a dan buoy in the vicinity of Belle Grange, near the west shore, then across the lake to Adelaide on the east shore, with a final leg to the FBA mark near the southern end. A busy, breezy, start, with a slight bias on the line as the wind veered slightly, produced a few early incidents, with local world champion Steve Goacher, sailing with his wife Shelagh, among the boats forced to do a penalty. The fleet kept together over the first leg, as conditions got colder and wetter. The wind kept up to a reasonable Force 3, but veered round so that the first beat became a reach, with fewer opportunities for tactical sailing. There were still plenty of changes of position among the main body of the fleet, which stayed well bunched together. Visiting boats dominated the head of the fleet, but on the short finishing leg Goacher judged the fluky shifts to pick up two places and finish second to Ian Jones and Nathan Poulton from Dovestone. Visitors and the home fleet enjoyed a plentiful hot buffet supper expertly laid on by the Stewards at the club house in the evening. On a perfect, though cold, Sunday morning, with cloudless blue skies and a sprinkling of snow clearly visible on the summit of Fairfield, a steady northerly breeze came up in time for the postponed start. The course was set from a start line at the bottom end of North lake, with a beat up to the Swans Nest mark half-way up the east shore, then zig-zag spinnaker and reaching legs across the lake, via Red Nab on the west shore and Adelaide on the east shore, back to the FBA mark. The wind stayed at Force 3, but with ‘shadows’ along the east shore which caught out many of the fleet - including the experienced locals. Wind direction stayed fairly true, giving a proper beat each time to Swans Nest, forcing helms to make crucial decisions whether to stay out in the lake or go inshore. Spinnaker legs became more extreme during the second lap, and the fleet became more spread out, with changes in boat order on each leg. Local boats took two of the first three places, with Nigel Tullett and Sam Rayner coming in first. The fine, breezy weather continued into the afternoon, and another Olympic style North lake course was set, with a beat up to the Fisherfield mark, taken to port, then spinnaker legs across to Claife on the west shore and back to the dan buoy near Henholme. Most of the fleet chose to tack up the middle of the lake and look for the north easterly to take them in to the Fisherfield mark, with a few choosing to follow the east shore. Once again, conditions round the marks on the east shore were unpredictable, even for local crews. There was close covering throughout the race, with the lead in contention between two of the home boats for much of the time, as boats tacked and changed position hoping to find the next lift, whether inshore or on the open lake. At the end Tullett and Rayner held off competition from the Goachers to score another first place. A classic ‘high tea’ laid on by the Stewards at the Club after racing proved popular with all age groups. Monday’s racing was scheduled as two back-to-back morning races, and the Force 3 north-easterly combined with continued bright sunshine and cool temperatures gave ideal conditions. The Olympic-style course was set in Millerground Bay, to take advantage of the wind coming strongly down Troutbeck Valley. A dan buoy was set up in the middle of the lake at the northern end of the bay, with Millerground mark deep into the east shore, and the FBA mark making up the triangle. In spite of the freshening wind, a flat patch in the bay caught half the fleet with useless spinnakers on the first lap, but unpredictable Windermere conditions brought them back into contention with a better wind on the second beat up to Millerground. After constant changes of position, on the final lap Chris Ducker and Richard Rigg beat Neil Platt, with Stephen Taylor as crew today, into second place in a close finish. The final race, with the result still open, was set over the same marks, but with a zig-zag course of a beat to Millerground and a spinnaker run to the dan buoy, then a fetch to Adelaide on the east shore and a spinnaker leg back to the FBA mark. The weather clouded over from the south during the race, but the wind continued a steady Force 3 easterly. Over the second lap Neil Platt built up the only big lead of the meeting, leaving the rest of the fleet half a leg behind. The excitement at the finish came in the next group of boats, as the Goachers held off close competition from home and visiting boats to finish second. The final result gave Steve and Shelagh Goacher overall success, with John and Dorothy Wright, also from the home club, coming first in the Classic fleet.
Classic fleet
Llangorse Sailing Club18th - 19th MayA satisfying total of 23 Fifteens,including 11 visitors from 5 different clubs, gathered on May 18/19 to compete for L.S.Cs distinctive trophy,a painting of fifteens racing on the lake under the shadow of the Brecon Beacons,by distinguished marine artist Cavendish Morton. Heavy downpours moved off before the start of racing on Saturday leaving us with dry,if overcast conditions thereafter,and a good westerly with fresh gusts blowing the length of the lake. Conditions were similar on Sunday except that the wind direction had shifted to the much less desirable south.Fortunately,race officer Ian Howies great experience of conditions on the lake still gave us satisfying and testing courses and good beats. Racing was often very close(indeed ties for overall First and Classic Third places were quite a problem to resolve),but good humoured in the Llangorse manner. There was a brief,but quite spectacular departure from this mood,however,at the start of the second race when a couple of boats decided (erroniously)that port was the tack to start on and caused mayhem from which a number of innocent parties were unable to recover.This was all forgotten by Sunday however,and your correspondent looks back on a happy and succesful meeting amongst old and new friends of whom the most notable ones were the international Commodore (who won by a nose), newlyweds and Classic champions Stuart and Jennifer Jones in their fine old wooden boat, and Peter and Anne Cianchi (L.S.C.) who raced for the first time in their recently acquired classic together with three small children who refused to be left behind! RESULTS
Report from David Proctor
Aldeburgh Yacht Club25th - 26th May 2002Wind, wind and more wind was the order of the weekend - at least the sun was shining and the Adnams was free flowing... The Flying 15 sailors were greeted with a Force 6-7 on Saturday and the prospect of the tide turning before the start of the racing to give wind against tide on the River Alde. The Race Officer asked the fleet whether they would like to go sailing or stay ashore and watch the Rugby European Cup Final on TV ! The sailors decided for themselves that they wanted to have a go and the first race was started. The spectators on the shore (including the injured F15 Fleet Captain) enjoyed an exciting start, with some very hairy port and starboard incidents as the boats called for room to tack as they rapidly approached the river bank. Justin Waples from Grafham who has regularly sailed at Aldeburgh in recent years used his knowledge of the river's tides to gain an early lead on the first beat, however local sailor Simon Fulford did not let him out of his sights and they enjoyed a close tacking dual to the windward mark. As the leaders approached the first turning mark, a rather nasty looking black cloud was looming and the full force of the cloud's wind hit just as the leaders were reaching for their spinnaker poles. The Club windometer recorded Force 9 for a 10 minute period as the 15s blasted their way back towards the club to head up river. The spectators watched the carnage unfold, with boats broaching, masts breaking, halyards snapping and fittings giving way under the pressure they were probably never designed to resist ! Justin Waples leading the race went for his spinnaker and was literally Flying in his 15, however an even bigger gust hit and he broached violently and ended up on the muddy river bank! Simon Fulford went for a couple of gybes, but on the second gybe broached and got a twist in his spinnaker around the forestay, his lucky crew (and owner of the boat) Mike Turnbull was then sent forward to unwrap the kite as they continued on downwind at a serious rate of knots into the steep chop in the middle of the river. The spectators were very impressed as they flew past the Clubhouse in first place closely followed by Pip Hudson from Broxbourne, as they both lead the fleet up-river for the rest of the race in a hail of spray. Unfortunately only 6 bravehearts continued on past the safety of the Clubhouse, but they enjoyed some very exciting reaching as they continued to race up-river. Pip Hudson from Broxbourne crewed by local sailor Darren Fellowes was obviously relishing these conditions as he hounded Fulford every step of the way. They enjoyed a close tacking dual to the finish, with Fulford holding first, Hudson second and Nick Heath from Grafham in third. That evening, there were many tales of "that Force 9 squall" both before and at the start of supper, but by the time a few pints of Suffolk Adnams and a few bottles of wine had been consumed , the Force 9 miraculously became "top end of 9 or most probably 10" ! Unfortunately the racing on Sunday had to be abandoned as the windometer regularly recorded Force 7 gusting 8, and the hangovers gave little encouragement to the crews urge to go racing. Simon Fulford was presented with the Tom Ratcliff Trophy, with Nick Heath winning the Mawson Prize for the first Classic Fifteen. Most of the visiting F15s left their boats at Aldeburgh in readiness for the 4 day Bank Holiday Queens Golden Jubilee Regatta next weekend, hoping for lighter winds.
Report from Ben Nicholls
ALDEBURGH YACHT CLUB – 2002 JUBILEE REGATTAJune 1st - 3rdWith visitors from Grafham Water and Draycote staying over from the Open Meeting the previous weekend, a total of nine Flying Fidteens enjoyed some close and exciting racing for the Alde at Sunset trophy in the Aldeburgh Yacht Club Jubilee Regatta. Short tacking skills and tactical judgement were the order of the day for the first of the four race series on Saturday. The steady 12 knot Easterly onshore wind provided a perfect beat to windward against the strengthening flood tide from the upriver Stanny Point mark back to the club at Slaughden. Justin Waples, crewed by wife Amanda (expecting no 3 in about four months time) took an early overal lead leaving the close quarter action for the next 3 places to a tacking match between Jock Mawson, Paul Botterill and Sarah Davies. With the lead changing several times this was the order at the end of the day. A Sea Shanty supper on Saturday, with the shanties lead by the popular "Skinners Rats" from Greenwich, was followed by the consumption of the club's entire port stock as the competitors celebrated the much more enjoyable conditions than those at the Open Meeting the previous weekend. The warm and sunny weather continued throughout Sunday with the story pretty much repeating itself. Probably one of the most memorable sights of the event was Peter Wilson's beautifully restored classic 8 metre "If" reaching back from Orford with a "bone in her teeth" and Justin Waple's riding on her quarter wave to increase his lead over the rest of the fleet. Fortunately Monday morning's thunderstorms had cleared before the start of racing on Monday. With the wind veering into the South West and strengthening, Justin had the series wrapped but Jock and Paul were both capable of a second place. There was a recall as the whole fleet was lined up for a windward start downriver and tide and despite being first over the finishing line, Jock was OCS as was Justin. Robert and Tania Richie in Mr Toad were the first boat to the weather mark, a lead they managed to hold until having to do a 720 on the second beat which let Paul and Sarah through. Paul then managed to touch a moored boat while dropping the kite and had to retire under the local rules and the race was won by Sarah with Robert second and John Alderson in Saffron third.
Report from Paul Botterill
Scottish Championships - Loch Ard8th - 9th JuneLoch Ard Sailing Club, in the heart of Scotland's picturesque Trossachs, welcomed a strong fleet of twenty two Flying Fifteens to the Scottish Championship. Visitors came from Ireland and both the North East and North West of England, to add to the Scottish boats, which included seven Loch Ard boats. On Saturday in light winds, there was remarkable consistency at the front of the fleet, with former World Champions Steve Goacher and Phil Evans, from Windermere enjoying the loch sailing with two wins, while Bolton's Neil Platt weighed in with two second places, ahead of Irish helm John Lavery, with two thirds. Sunday brought another very overcast day, but any danger of the voracious midges spoiling the sailors' concentration was allayed by the onset of heavy rain, with a light easterly. At the top mark it was Goacher by a short head, which downwind Goacher and Evans really stretched, to clinch the Championship. Goacher even had time for a wobbly in the last race, being barely in the top ten at the windward mark. John Lavery took on the front running to take the last race, with Neil Currie from Bassenthwaite in second. But Neil Platt was able to discard his fourth place in the last race to count three second places and take the runner up spot in the Championship, by just a point from Irish helm John Lavery. The organisers also recognised their two age category fleets, with the Silver fleet being headed by Loch Ard's Colin and Ann Boyd. But in the even older boat category, the Classics, Monty and Susannah Priede did very well to beat all the silver age boats as well as the other Classics.
Top Loch Ard boat; James & Natalie Gerrard Classic boat; Monty & Susannah Priede, 2417, Peterhead SC Silver boat; Colin & Ann Boyd, 2849, Loch Ard SC. Report from Alan Henderson
International Flying Fifteen Bulwark TrophyHayling Island Sailing Club8th - 9th JuneBarry Parkin, crewed by wife Sue, won the Bulwark Trophy by means of two firsts and a second place from a quality fleet of 25 Flying Fifteens in Hayling Bay. On Saturday Race Officer Ian Porter set a challenging course in a F3 wind with a short beat which made for incidents at the windward mark. Clear away in the lead was 3630 Barry and Sue Parkin followed by 3464 Miles Odell & Chris Hewkin. On a triangle/sausage course the Parkins sailed away with Charles Apthorp & Jonathan Clark following second placed Odell over the finish line. Fourth were Henry Craven Smith & Tim Hammick in 3689. The second race was sailed in lighter winds and again the Parkins cleared away from the port end of the line and sailed away to another fine win. In second place was 3684 Matthew Flint & Andy Thomson. This pair were going well but missed the first race through arriving late and suffered rigging failure on the Sunday to spoil their regatta. In third place were Alan Bax & Paul Busby in 3711, winners of this Trophy on several previous occasions. World Champion Charles Apthorp came in fourth. After tea in bright sunshine the fleet prepared for the next day with party and games including line dancing organised by the ever cheerful Bev Moss. Sunday dawned grey and windy, promising an exciting ride for the heavy weather brigade. Away went the fleet under a black flag start in a F5 gusting and it was Charles Apthorp & Jonathan Clark who found the conditions to their liking. Barry and Sue Parkin hung in to gain second place and the Trophy. Miles Odell & Chris Hewkin were third with Gill Browning & Simon Weatherill in 3727 fourth. For the last race the wind became even stronger and the waves higher. A windshift gave all boats who tacked on to port soon after the start the advantage. In strong conditions it was Greg Wells & Milo Mitchell in 3466 who were first at the mark by a short head from Saffina 3615 Roger Palmer & Grayson Eacott. Palmer & Eacott overtook Wells & Mitchell on the first reach and stormed away to finish the race in first place. It was a helter-skelter experience with very strong gusts and waves of varying height and water everywhere. Offwind sailing was awesome, rocketing down waves and avoiding the oncoming wave in front with every manoeuvre having to be carried out carefully at top speed. Many boats succumbed to breakage of gear and spirit and in the end eleven boats completed the four rounds of unforgettable sailing on the edge. Second were Alan Bax & Paul Busby with Gill Browning & Simon Weatherill recovering exceptionally from a near last position to finish third.
Report from Roger Palmer
Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club15th and 16th June Almost perfect southerly winds all weekend enabled the committee to set big Olympic style courses, at Chew Valley’s open meeting on 15th & 16th June. The first race kicked off at 12:30 just as England did, but the result was not nearly so clear cut. Brett & Ben Dingwall narrowly won after a very close tacking last beat, from Adrian Tattersall & Tim Smart and Simon Dangerfield & Alan Rorke. The second race saw the Dingwalls take a huge lead up the first beat and continue to increase it thereafter. Ian Cadwallader & Adrian Simpson were second and Tattersall third. On Sunday morning, Cadwallader the brave, port tacked the fleet to take a lead up the first beat but failed to hold onto their advantage and were caught by Dingwall and Dangerfield. This meant that fight for the minor placing was very close indeed. Cadwallader started well and flew up the first beat to round first followed by Frank & Adrian Jones from Chew Valley and Adrian Tattersall. But The Dingwalls and Dangerfield closed the gap finishing 2nd & 3rd respectively.
The Silver Prize and 6th overall was won by Doug and Gail Pattison of Chew Valley Lake. The Classic prize was won by Jeremy Arnold & Mike Pearce from Notts County, David & Carole Duke were 2nd and George & Martin Rock Evans 3rd. Report from Simon Dangerfield
Flying Fifteen Northern Championships29th - 30th June
36 boats entered for this event hosted by Derwent Reservoir SC.
The first race saw Terry Crumpton leading at the windward mark with Steve Goacher in second. Goacher who chose to two sail the second leg saw him take the lead that he was not to lose. The battle for second intensified with both Mathew Flint and Neil Platt battling with Crumpton. Flint ended up fourth after capsizing downwind in spectacular fashion with Platt second and Crumpton third. The wind freshened still further for the second race which saw a third of the fleet retire or fail to start. Crumpton revelled in the conditions, leading at the second mark, and, like Goacher in the first race he maintained his position to the finish despite a capsize on the final downwind leg. Flint recovering from his earlier mishap in the first race finished second with Platt third and Goacher fourth all in close company at the line. Sunday dawned with three further races scheduled and wind from a similar direction as Saturday but somewhat less in strength. John Hardisty led the first of these races to head the fleet from start to finish, with Alan Bax, always not far behind finishing second. Poor starts from Saturdays leading contenders meant this would be a race that some would hope to discard. The second race on Sunday saw Flint hit the front and win his first race of the series with Bax again a consistent second and Goacher third.
The final race of the series was to see controversy and a complicated scoring scenario unfold to determine overall positions.
After the prize giving, it was found that ff3684 (Matt Flint) did not have a measurement certificate, so it has been withdrawn from the results Overall positions:
Report From John Mathie
Cardiff Classic Flying Fifteen Regatta29/30th June 2002 A fleet of 17 classics and 1 silver flying fifteen entered the Cardiff Bay Classic Regatta on 29th and 30th June. Four races were held on Cardiff Bay in excellent force 3 to 4 winds. In race 1 Stuart and Jenny Jones (1155) led for two laps but Peter Hogg and David Downs (759) sailed past at the last wing mark and then Nick Heath and Ted Legg (2520) made the most of the shifts on the last windward leg to claim second. For the remaining three races Peter Hogg and Nick Heath battled for the first two places with Stuart Jones competing with Dave Flint (2587), Rob Sheridan (2647) and Julian Beere (2655) for 3rd and 4th. The close reaches provided excellent plaining conditions. However the gusts always seemed to arrive at the same time as the wing mark and claimed a number of victims. Rob Sheridan, Stuart Jones and Jeremy Soulsby (55) all had hairy moments at the gybe, with Andy Murphy (2647) having to step onto the keel to remedy theirs. On the Saturday evening a relaxing pleasure boat trip up the River Taff allowed crews to rest their aching limbs and enjoy views of the Millennium Stadium with a few drinks, before finishing the regatta on Sunday morning. Peter Hogg and David Downs were the overall winners, sailing an excellent series, with three wins to count. Nick Heath and Ted Legg were second and Stuart and Jenny Jones were third. Simon Dangerfield and John Washington (3006) claimed the silver prize. The large competitive fleet, excellent winds and good courses combined to give visiting and local sailors a very enjoyable weekend. Many are now looking forward to meeting again at Largs to continue racing and socialising.
Silver Fleet
Report from Stuart Jones
Draycote Water Classic Open29/30 June 2002Draycote Water Sailing Club had ideal conditions for their Classic Open Meet with winds blowing a good Force 4/5 from the West/Southwest resulting in on Saturday/Sunday lively and invigorating racing with every place being contested from the front to the back of the fleet. Thirteen 13 boats participated including five visitors, 2 from Grafham, 2 from Broxbourne and one from Middle Nene. In each race, every place was hotly fought for. From the start of the first race it was a tussle at the front between Brian Glover and Bill Bennett of DWSC in 3083 (Instant Rinse), David and Carole Duke from GWSC in 2646 (Hair Restorrar), Richard Burton and Tim Geater from DWSC in 2572 and with Mike and Anne de St Paer of DWSC in 2481 (Interceptor II) Brian Glover (3083) put himself in the lead position in the first race only to lose it and drop to third during the last lap and eventually finishing second otherwise he would have had 3 firsts. In the second race it was a 1st 2nd 3rd to Glover/Bennett in 3083, The Dukes in 2646 and Burton/Geater 2472 with Mike and Anne de St Paer taking their second fourth place. Brian Glover using tactics of being late for the start and not knowing the course, to lull the rest into a false sense of security and then steaming into the lead. In ideal conditions on the Sunday Richard Burton and Tim Geater took 1st place keenly pursued by The Dukes in 2646 in 2nd. Neil Bartholomey and Tony Wright from Middle Nene in 2488 took third place. Paul Tully and crew Steve Heywood decided that something drastic needed to be done to rescue their position so overboard went the crew in a desperate bid to reduce weight, but it did not help! In the fourth race it was a 1st 2nd 3rd again for Glover/Bennett in 3083, The Dukes in 2646 and Burton/Geater 2472 with Mike and Anne de St Paer taking their second fourth place. In the Vintage Fleet, two boats raced with John Dinnie and Richard Chaplin taking 3 firsts in 1035 (UFO) ahead of Geoff and Hazel Town from Broxbourne in 598 (fflare) In the Classics David and Carole Dukes took three first places, ahead of Burton/Geater who took three second places with Mike and Anne De St Paer taking three thirds. In the Silver Fleet Brian Glover/Bill Bennett took 4 first places. John Broome and Simon Saunders from DWSC in 2893 (Genista) took 2nd, 3rd 4th and 2nd
Report from Paul Tully
Broxbourne Classic13th JulyA good turn out was welcomed with good weather with winds of 3 to 4 knots, accompanied by sunshine. The wind did, however, include the usual Broxbourne variety of direction and strength with an occasional gust of force, 5/6 one of which caught out one visitor who all but broached under spinnaker, which he thought, was impossible at Broxbourne. The generally stable wind strength and direction enabled Roger Wollin, one of our most competent Race Officers, to set excellent courses with unbiased start lines. Geoff Town, our local vintage sailor both in age and boat won the first race with some ease no doubt due to his local knowledge. In the second race he thought he was going home early with a large early lead but sailed into a dead spot despite his local knowledge, and was overtaken by Neil Bartholomew from Middle Nene, however after some close racing Geoff won. Having won overall Geoff gave his crew and wife, Hazel, a rest and was honoured by having the Club Commodore, Dave Pattison, crew for the last race, which they again won closely followed again by a visitor, this being Mark Patrick again from Middle Nene. Elsewhere in the fleet there was some keen racing resulting in a couple of unsuccessful protests. The visitors enjoyed the ease of launching and recovery of the boats, which is very simple at Broxbourne with our electric crane. No getting wet and no muscle needed. After the presentations nearly all who sailed joined in the evening meal, a very friendly occasion. This event was part of the South East Travellers Series.
First Silver: Rob Sheridan
report from Geoff Town
Falmouth Week11-16 AugustThe entry of twenty nine boats was down on the last few years possibly due to the Nationals which were held at the other end of the U.K only two weeks previously. However the regulars were still there with strong contingents from Grafham, Chew Valley & Bewl. Falmouth has gained a reputation as an excellent venue for a Family Week with the majority of boats being crewed by husband & wife teams although the courses set made absolutely no concessions to the average age or to the female crews. Comments along the lines of "I don't go to the Nationals because of the length of the races" were heard throughout the week and indeed the short courses at the Nationals would have been less physically demanding.!! Perhaps the Committee Boat had lost its shortened course flag!! Having said that the weather was fine with some good sunshine, the winds were perhaps a little too gentle at times but the tides did not wreak havoc even in the light winds. The racing was extremely competitive throughout the fleet although line honours were dominated by defending champions Roger & Claire Wood from Notts County (FF 3539) and Simon Kneller/Andy Palmer from Grafham (FF 3699). This year for the first time the series was raced from Sunday to Friday with Saturday's race a stand alone. This allowed the series to be completed before those with long journeys had to set off home on Saturday morning. For the second year running bad weather caused the first race to be cancelled but not before half the fleet had made their way down to the Helford River. Early morning poor visibility gave the Race Committee some safety concerns over the fleet having to find its way five miles down the coast. As the wind later freshened to F6 it was probably a wise if unpopular decision. Monday was bright with sunshine and a force 3-4 northerly breeze turning to the NNW later. A good start at 11am descended into farce at the windward mark as some of the fleet were laying the correct but unflagged mark while the rest had turned at a lobster pot some one hundred yards downwind! Apparently the race was quickly abandoned in the face of protests but unknown to most of the fleet which then completed a lap and a half over an hour and a half before a rescue boat came out to communicate the decision! If there were any expectations that the race would be shortened to compensate for the time already spent on the water the Mylor Race Committee headed by ex Fifteen sailor Gerard Smart had other ideas and we were duly sent round for another three long laps. The Woods (FF 3539) took two laps to work their way into the lead, crossing the line ahead of Simon Kneller who managed to pip Ian & Penny Ramus (Bewl Valley FF 3707) on the line. Restronguet were the hosts for Tuesday's race, a gruelling 3 hours sailed in very light south/south west winds with a long slow run down to St Just. Although the leading boats went up the main channel against the tide on the final run the largest gains were made in the middle of the fleet by those taking the inshore route. Simon Kneller eventually won from Roger Wood with Andy & Carol Maskell (FF 3654) third. Flushing hosted Wednesday's race when the wind turned to the south. and the first mark set at St Mawes gave problems to those who did not realise that the cardinal buoy was a mark of the course. The first five boats at the windward mark broke away from the fleet and continued to have a close battle throughout the race with positions changing frequently. Simon Kneller eventually took first, followed by Roger Wood and Glyn Morgan/Chris Hough (FF 3645) third The St Mawes regatta on Thursday took place in light winds which died away as the race progressed making for frustrating conditions especially when the boat in front of you got the last of the wind before it died!! Roger Wood established an early and substantial lead which he kept to the finish and the real race was in the following five boats. Simon Kneller eventually broke clear of the group and Glyn Morgan won a tight battle with Mike De St Paer (FF 3680) to take third place. Gerry Sheard (FF 3498) and Noel West (FF 3632) tried to prove how close inshore you could go but got it wrong causing modifications to rudder and keel respectively In the final race hosted by the Royal Cornwall the committee decided to delay the start for at least an hour due to lack of wind but the sea breeze filled in and provided probably the best conditions of the week. After an hour and a quarter's postponement it was perhaps inevitable that we would have a general recall -the first of the week. The weather mark saw Glyn Morgan, Andy Maskell, Mike de St Paer and Doug Pattinson (FF 3190) all in contention but Mike and Anne de St Paer got through on the run and crossed the line with a comfortable lead. Glyn Morgan & Simon Knellar were both OCS so Noel West who had sailed steadily up through the fleet to finish fourth on the water was 2nd, with the Maskells 3rd. This more than made up for the St Paer's disappointment on Tuesday when in fourth position they went round the wrong final mark. Simon Knellar's OCS ruined his chances of winning the series. Full results are on the POFSA webpage but the first six places are listed below:
The Saturday race organised by Falmouth Town saw a rather depleted fleet start in a nice southerly force 3-4.The Jubilee Cup was won by Bob Gatton/John Forsdyke (FF 3683) of Grafham in conditions much more to his liking than the light winds of the rest of the week. Roger & Claire Wood took the series beating Simon Kneller on a discard.as well as the Flying Fifteen trophy awarded for the whole week for the third time, Andy & Carol Maskell won the Stowe/Preece trophy for the leading husband & wife team apart from the overall winners. Once again a great week's sailing in beautiful waters supplemented by a good social programme. No doubt most of us will be back next year hopefully joined by some first timers. Whilst the racing is highly competitive at the front there is racing within the fleet at different levels and for all ages of boat. Whatever your standard and experience you can be guaranteed a great time especially if we can persuade the Committee to limit the length of the races!! Perhaps next year we may even have time to visit the different clubs for their traditional Club Tea. Photos of Falmouth Week can be viewed on www.photos4sail.com Falmouth Week 2003 10th – 16th August Report from Judy Walker
Aldeburgh Week18th - 23rd AugustThe Aldeburgh Yacht Club 2002 Regatta has just finished, and the Flying 15 fleet enjoyed their annual assortment of wind strengths and wind directions together with some tough decisions to make due to the tidal differences around the various corners of the River Alde. The Flying 15 Class races were held in the mornings, with a keelboat handicap in the afternoons. The number of entries for the class racing, a little under 20, were down slightly this year due to three of the regular Aldeburgh boats unable to race this year and the visitors preferred instead to go to the Southern Championships at Hayling Island, but the racing remained competitive and a great week was had by all in the sunny, light to moderate conditions. The first 2 races were held in light winds, the keys to success were avoiding the strong tide and maintaining boatspeed by changing gears quickly as the wind picked up and dropped with monotonous regularity. Ben and Sarah Nicholls pulled away from the fleet leaving Jock Mawson crewed by Paul Botterill to fight it out with Simon and Sarah Davies for second. Jock was second in race one with the Davies' second in race two. The wind filled in for the third race of the week. Toby Courlander and Mike Turnbull had a close tacking dual with Ben and Sarah Nicholls on the first beat, the windward mark was 3 miles upwind! The Nicholls' pulled away to win the race, but Toby and Mike had a good lead over third placed David Andren and Katie Oldrey. The Silver Fleet was having a great tussle with John Alderson and Olivier Millington doing battle with Paul Raper and 'Fletch' and Will Boyd crewed by Sandy Johnson. Will and Sandy were holding all the cards at this point in the Regatta. The fourth race was the annual Round the Island Race, where the fleet race around Havergate Island, a 7 mile beat, with a finish at Orford Sailing Club. The winds were extremely variable with the boats at time struggling to make way against the tide and at other times on the plane. Jock Mawson and Paul Botterill started well, but were not able to hold off the Nicholls who were continuing to show convincing boatspeed. An extremely close race developed for second place with 4 different boats holding the position for a while, protest flags were waved in anger by some, but it was the Davies' who came through to finish second after demonstrating some very skilful light-weather sailing technique. The Fleet enjoyed an extremely good Class Dinner in the Yacht Club that night and with three boats within 1 point of each other for second overall, there was a lot of Port being bought for each other in an attempt to help the opposition in their build-up for the final race! The final race was held in the best winds of the week, with all crews fully hiked on the upwind and reaching legs. Occasional gusts of Force 5-6 gave the fleet some wonderful planning reaches. The Nicholls' won this race by a considerable margin to complete a clean sweep for the week, but Toby Courlander and Mike Turnbull showed the speed they had threatened to show all week to finish second with Jock Mawson and the Davies' fighting for third. The Davies' secured third to give them second overall for the week. John Alderson and Olivier Millington sailed well in the last race to give them first overall in the Silver Fleet to win the Toft Trophy.
Report from Ben Nicholls
Southern Area Championships - Hayling Island24th - 26th AugustWith an early competition of 'hunt the committee boat' the fleet finally reached the race area south of the harbour entrance where race officer Mike Baker patiently waited with the course ready set. After a general recall, and black flag raised, the fleet got away at the second attempt in a good southerly force 2-3. Barry & Sue Parkin benefiting from good speed and a marginal tide variation, lead the fleet from the windward mark to the finish. Miles Odell & Chris Hewkin registered 2nd place with World Champion Charles & David Apthorp in 3rd. For the Saturday afternoon race leading boats favoured the right side of the beat with Miles Odell and Steve Goacher & Phil Evans emerging as leaders at the windward mark. The westerly going tide created a tight first reach with little place changing. On the second reach and the run Roger & Barbara Palmer ran off to starboard away from the gybed fleet gaining handsomely on both occasions. By the time Goacher had passed Odell up the 2nd beat and the leading group rounded the bottom mark Roger Palmer had worked through to 3rd leaving Matt Flint & Andy Thompson 4th Saturday evening saw a highly enjoyable and popular barbeque hosted by Fran & Geoff Bayliss.
Race 3 started in a light northerly breeze that shifted and filled. The challenging conditions favoured those who took the middle or right hand side of the beat. First round the windward mark from the right was Alan Bax & Simon Childs, followed by Barry Parkin then Mark Wood & Ian Gorringe.
Race 4 was started in a flat patch with those starting at the pin end benefiting from a breeze that only filled in on the left side of the course. Barry Parkin established a good lead from Adrian Tattersall & Tim Smart as the fleet strung out along the first reach. On the second reach the fleet concertinaed into a large hole. Ahead of a mass rounding Steve Goucher gained most by gybing south, rounding first ahead of Miles Odell and Roger Palmer, to win a shortened course at the windward mark with the unfortunate Parkins in 5th. After 4 races, with a discard counted, overall standings were Odell 6 points, Goacher 7 points, Parkin & Palmer tied on 11 points and Apthorp 12 points. On Monday the wind built to the forecast force 4 northerly and with race officer Mike Baker setting reaching legs described as 'spot on', the final race gave brilliant sailing and a fitting conclusion to the series. From a pin end bias the port side was favoured and once again Barry Parkin rounded first pursued by Dave Lucas & Steve Carson, Miles Odell, Matt Flint then Steve Goacher. On the first reach Goacher flew through to 2nd place at the wing mark then overhauled the Parkins who were having spinnaker problems after the gybe. After the leeward mark Goacher led to the finish from Flint and Lucas, who battled it out with a number of place changes around the remaining 3 laps for 2nd and 3rd place respectively, ahead of the pursuing group of Bax, Odell, Parkin and Apthorp. At the prize giving Steve Goacher noted that at last this season the sun had shone at an open meeting and thanked HISC and the Hayling FF fleet for laying this on along with a busy sailing and social programme.
Report from Sue Bannister
Cotswold Classic7/8 SeptemberA fleet of seventeen Flying Fifteens entered the Cotswold Classic open meeting at South Cerney Sailing Club over the weekend of 7/8 September. For the first time the event was part of the 'Arrowred' series and attracted keen competitors not only from local clubs but from further away, Keith Jameson joined us from Bassenthwaite!!!! David and Carole Duke were defending their 'title' from last year and George and Martin Rock-Evans who were 2nd returned to their 'home' club to try to ensure that they had to work to keep it. Overall there were five races. The first three on the Saturday afternoon were sailed in light to gusty and variable conditions with a constant threat of rain which never materialised. David and Carole Duke soon stamped their authority taking two firsts and a second. That was to 759 Peter Hogg David Downs in the third race. Other serious challenges came from from 1155 Stuart and Jenn Jones and 2658 Roger Finch Jim Reid. Home boat 2263 appeared to be having a good day escaping to the front in race three in the flukey conditions only to be overhauled in the final beat !! Close and competitive racing in conditions which could deal a 'cruel hand' led inevitably to tempers fraying occasionally at marks and to frank exchanges of views on rules !!! Fortunately off the water good humour and sportsmanship prevailed far into the night at the well attended 'French Evening' held in the clubhouse . A very good party that threatened to influence performance on Sunday !! Fortunately for the some who may have overdone the previous evening but to the frustration of the race officer Sunday dawned to clear skies without a breath of wind. There was serious doubt as to whether it was going to be possible sail, let alone race. The wind filled in enough though to get two races away with some delay. The light and variable conditions required helms to look for the wind and again a little local knowledge helped 2263 to make a nuisance of itself ! The Duke machine was not be thwarted though and another first allowed them the luxury of sitting out the final race which was won by George and Martin Rock-Evans who had come up through the fleet to steal it from Roger Finch and Jim Reid who had led from the start. Socialable retrieval and derigging followed by a late lunch and prize giving completed an enjoyable weekend.
Report from Derek Harrison
Burton SC Flying Fifteen Open meeting21st - 22nd SeptemberForecasts of very light winds reduced the entry to Burton Sailing Club's Flying Fifteen open to just eleven boats, including five visitors. Those that didn't attend missed some excellent close racing in a wind that built from a flukey force one to a gusty force four during the event. The first race saw local sailor Ernie Hewkin (3519) quickly build a commanding lead. Second was Roger Wood (3539) with David Duke (2646) third and Jeremy Arnold (2663) fourth. The second race saw Hewkin leading again until gear failure let Arnold past, only for him to head to the wrong mark, letting both Wood and Duke overtake. After a fine barbeque on the saturday night the competitors reconvened the next day to complete the racing. Race three saw Roger Wood win convincingly, followed by Hewkin, Duke and Rob Sheridan (2647), who had travelled all the way from Broxbourne SC to compete. The unluckiest competitor was Geoff Lowndes-Toole (2854), who's jib crashed down to the foredeck seconds after the start. The final race took place in quite strong and gusty conditions that tested sailing technique and boat handling. Hewkin got to the windward mark first and was followed by Arnold, Wood and Sheridan down the reach. Sheridan got through into second place by the leeward mark, but then trawled his spinnaker under the bow, colliding with Arnold and allowing Duke and Wood to pass. Sheridan left the race course to sort out his knitting whilst the others set off in pursuit of Hewkin, who was eventually caught and past first by Wood then by Arnold within sight of the finish.
Report from Jeremy Arnold
Notts County Sailing Club28/29th September 2002
On the weekend of 28/29 September a large High Pressure sat over the centre of England and light variable winds were predicted. A Race Officers nightmare.
As in all the following races the start was crucial, most boats opted for starting on starboard on the favoured pin end. Intending to tack onto port as soon as possible and hoping to get a lift off the bank as they approached the 1st. mark. If you were held on starboard and forced into the middle of the lake you were down the pan.
Race 2. The wind then dropped completely and race 2 was not sailed. Sunday morning saw a slightly fresher wind 5-10mph still from the South and still with some massive shifts to catch out the unwary. The 3rd Race saw Walters and Allen (3685) start at the pin end and immediately tack onto starboard to find themselves to windward and leading the fleet. They rounded the first mark clear of rest and pulled out a substantive lead. Roger and Clare Wood tacked early at the start of the second beat hoping to get a lift off the left bank. This proved a costly move and they dropped from 2nd to 4th. The Woods managed to overtake Riley (3612) & Gardner (3655) on the next legs and the boats finished in that order. The 4th Race saw the Woods make the perfect start and were the first to round the windward mark closely followed by Walters & Allen. The race proved to be a duel between the two. The heavy crew (30st. plus) of Walters and Allen were slightly faster on the beat but suffered downwind to the lighter Woods. After a covering battle up the final beat the Woods won by less than a boat length with several crews fighting it out for third place. Race 5. With the 2nd race cancelled only 4 races were scheduled with 1 discard. The Woods had won 2 races and Walters 1 therefore if Walters won the last race he would win on the tie break system. On the first beat the lead changed several times between the first 4 boats but by the first reach Walters and Allen were in the lead, the wind then started to die and the pack closed up. Walter & Allen retained their lead for a lap till on the final gybe mark Allen dropped the spinnaker sheet overboard which the boat ran over as it rounded the mark trapping the sheet between the hull and the rudder. Whilst releasing the sheet They dropped to 4th place. The Race Officer promptly signalled shorten course but Walters managed to pull through on the short beat to the finish line only being beaten into second place by the Woods by a few feet. All competitors, Gold, Silver and Classic Fleets enjoyed the close racing and congratulations must go to Roger and Clare Wood who were not only the winners of the 2002 Notts County Flying Fifteen Meeting but the Scorpion Inlands at Notts County 2 weeks later on 12/13 October. A view from the Classic Fleet at the Notts County Open by Jeremy Arnold Nine Classic fifteens competed in the event, with boats from Carsington, Middle Nene, Grafham and Dovestone joining the growing home fleet. The competition was very open, with the light winds that prevailed throughout the weekend capable of handing out large gains or losses to any boat. The ability to start well and keep in clear wind was vital, as was clean boathanding and spinnaker work around the short and relatively intricate courses that were laid. At the front of the Classic fleet it was a battle between the ever-consistent David and Carol Duke (2646), and light weather experts Roger Finch and Jim Reid (2658), with the latter eventually coming out ahead. In third place overall and showing excellent bursts of speed was Neil Bartholomew and Tony Wright from Middle Nene (2488), followed closely by the first Notts County Classic, Jeremy Arnold and Mike Pearce (2663) down in fourth place.
Report from John Allen
Middle Nene Flying 15 Classic Open Meeting12/13 OctA fleet of 24 Classic Fifteens took part including ten visitors. Both mornings started with flat calm conditions, but fortunately by midday on the Saturday a NE wind piped up to give marginal planing in Autumn sunshine. On Sunday a force 2/3 developed in time for the afternoon races. The event was decided on the best three from four races with a "novelty optional crew's race" on Sunday morning. Graham Lamond & Scott Train in Fettercairn 617 decisively won the first race. The second race went to David Naylor & Norman Christie (2620) from Dovestone with Keith Bartholomey & Tony Busby(2488) from the home club second. On the Sunday evening more than fifty sailors & helpers enjoyed a traditional dinner which helped to fortify those hardy sailors who had set up camp for the weekend by the lakeside. On the second day Jeremy Arnold & Mike Pearce (2663) from Ogston took the third race followed by Graham Lamond, The final race was also won by Graham followed by Geoff Town & Hazel Town (598) from Broxbourne, the consistent sailing by the latter also gave them second place overall. The series results are shown below. Graham Lamond thanked Middle Nene S.C. in its role as host for the wonderful organisation both on and off the water.
Post script by Geoff Town. This open meeting was a model event in all respects. A fantastic entry both in quality and quantity which must the envy of many Clubs who have held less successful main fleet events. The conditions were not easy with initially light winds, and weed had been a problem in previous weeks which could have led to the event being cancelled but hard work by the members had cleared most of it, what was left seemed to be equally shared between the home club sailors! Communications were excellent, the courses and signalling clear, no protests hardly any shouting and the launching/ recovery teams excellent. Off the water the social side was, as always, super this being helped by the Club's local brew after racing. All in all a model event not surprising that Middle Nene enjoy such a good entry. The first two boats were both wooden Vintage boats which demonstrates the durability of the Flying 15 Class. Thanks to MNSC for a great weekend once again.
INLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS - Draycote Water Sailing Club9/10 NovemberA final entry of 43 boats arrived at Draycote Water Sailing Club for the Inland Championships. The forecast of a light north-westerly going variable did not bode well for the scheduled two back to back races on Saturday. The first race started cleanly with a six mile an hour north-westerly breeze. The only late starter was Richard Hope in ff3642 who had put on his father's sails with the wrong number instead of his own. The leader at the windward mark was Sean Craig in ff3704 followed closely by Tom Bayliss in ff3660. These two remained locked together and at the second windward mark ff3660 had established a clear lead only to miss out the fly away mark and have to return to round it. The wind was dropping considerably. The second lap saw ff3660 and ff3704 maintain their lead with Miles Odell, Neil Platt and Justin Burke some two minutes behind. The race committee took the decision to abandon Race Two and hold three races back to back to back on Sunday. The early finish allowed the strong Irish representation to see Ireland overcome Australia in Rugby Union and bangers and mash were enjoyed by the fleet on Saturday night. Sunday dawned with heavy rain and an unforecast south-easterly compared with a forecast of south-westerly turning west sometime later in the day. The scheduled 10.30 start was delayed as the wind settled and the fleet were rewarded with a steady force three. First to the windward mark was ff3464 (3557) Miles Odell followed by Neil Platt ff3770 and ff3679 Ian Cadwallader. The first Draycote Boat was Jeremy Davy in ff3760 in 11th place. Mike Hart in ff3721 moved up the fleet to second place at the end of the second lap. The race was shortened after three laps to keep the objective of running three races during Sunday on course. Race Two Results 1. ff3721 Mike Hart 2. ff3770 Neil Platt 3. ff3463 Miles Odell Race Three Results 1. ff3591 Charles Apthorp 2. ff3679 Ian Cadwallader 3. ff3770 Neil Platt The final race started with the wind having shifted due westerly. The ensuing start saw four boats black flagged at the port end of the start line. The early leader was ff3725 Tom Hall who led from ff3630 Barry Parkin and ff3675 Adrian Tattersall. By the end of the second lap Tom Hall still led from Barry Parkin with Miles Odell, Neil Platt and Charles Apthorp having moved up the fleet. At the end of lap three Barry Parkin had taken the lead with Neil Platt now in third. The final lap saw Neil Platt and Miles Odell overtake Tom Hall. Race Four Results 1. ff3630 Barry Parkin 2. ff3770 Neil Platt 3. ff3463 Miles Odell Throughout the weekend both the Silver and Classic fleets were racing as part of the main fleet. In the Silver fleet there were three boats contesting the prizes. The results were: - 1. 2741 Duncan Dando Tees and Hartlepool YC 2. 2810 Paul Meade Draycote Water SC 3. 3164 Roland Antonelli Carsington There were seven Classic boats contesting this series. The results were: - 1. 2663 Jeremy Arnold Notts County 2. 798 Simon Dangerfield Chew Valley 3. 598 Geoff Town Broxbourne The whole weekend went well with thanks given to all the effort put in by the shore crews to enable quick launching and retrieval of boats. The race management team worked well with a difficult shifting breeze to contend with. Overall Results
Finally thanks to the sponsors FPD Savills, Pinnell and Bax, On Board Surf and Sail, H W Catering and Olympus Optical UK Ltd. Report from Chris Avery
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