This year saw 11 entries for the 2022 Flying Fifteen Spanish National Championship with some crews returning to the fleet after an extended absence. These included Scott Walker and Andrew Harvey sailing ‘Ffiel Good’, Alan Foreman, teaming up with David Miles in ‘Heaven Sent’ and Rafa Benitez and Pilar Casares sailing their new boat ‘Puffin’ which they have taken on from previous Balearic champion James Waugh.
Patrick and Vincent Harris ‘Flying High’ dominated the series with a string of race wins on a weekend of mixed sailing conditions on the Bay of Pollenca in the holiday island of Mallorca.
Victor Rosello and Juan Buades ‘Fiskardo’ showed good upwind speed challenging the Harris brothers by arriving at the top of the course ahead a number of times. However they experienced boat handling issues which dropped them back down the fleet. Veteran Michael Clough, sailing ‘Speedy Gonzales’ with Susane Spreda pulled out two second places, but they were also unable to keep up in the stronger breezes.
The remaining second places went to Rafa Benitez / Pilar Casares sailing ‘Puffin’ who also took a first in the second race, the only one which the Harris brothers didn’t win! Nevertheless their consistency saw them take second in the series, only dropping out of the top three once (a discardable 4th!).
Equally consistent were Scott Walker and Andy Harvey, sailing for the first time since Covid restrictions were lifted. Despite the lack of recent practice, they pulled out three thirds, two forths and a fifth, to see them take third in the series ahead of ‘Speedy’. Equal on 20 points was ‘Fiskardo’ sailed by Victor Rosello and Juan Buades who dropped to fifth on count back.
PO Gaspar and the race committee did a great job setting courses and managing the Flying Fifteen fleet as well as the 40 strong ORC fleet who were also sailing their Nationals. They kept things flowing and avoided long gaps between races.
Ashore the RCNPP Club hosted parties on both nights for all the competitors. Overall, a very successful championships, and a great return to sailing after the difficult past two years!
by Stephen Babbage, F15 fleet Mallorca
Prize giving photos are credited to RCNPP