FF World May 2023

Editor’s Comments

Sitting down to write this editions introduction I find that whilst some things have improved, others have not.

My first reference is to the number of boats available to new entrants to the class. Whilst the nirvana may be a new boat, this year there were only enough pre-orders for Ovington to build 6 boats. Also costs of these boats have risen along with other prices. Therefore, to assist new entrants coming into the fleet with used boats there is an article about how to bring a used Ovington 9 or 10 up to race winning form with contributions from fleet leaders sailing boats between 10 and over 20 years old (an early Ovington 10).

To repeat a paragraph from last year’s magazine: “If you have a rarely used Flying Fifteen in your possession sitting unloved in some sailing club dinghy park, then you should think of passing on the joy and selling. Anything which is an Ovington 9 (now some 20 years old) can be made to perform competitively with the right level of investment and in good hands.”

Others will write about the competition during 2022 and also the recent World Championships in Perth, Western Australia.

Despite my plea in the last edition, we have not received content from overseas fleets about themselves. I repeat that plea again. Please remember that we want photos straight out of the camera or phone unedited in size, otherwise we are unable to offer the visual feast that was the 2020 edition. The written section can be in your own language which Mr Google will translate (for good or ill!).

To all fleets, please consider spreading the word about your part of the F15 World in these pages in 2024, which will be published in January.

Front cover photo by Richard Packham

FROM THE UK PRESIDENT

I often think that the Flying 15 is an ideal boat to sail during the UK’s winter period. The clubs where they’re sailed have perfected launching to a fine art allowing the crew to keep their feet dry, either through pontoon or crane. On the water, the keel provides a degree of protection from the helm’s moments of incompetence, when they realise the difference between their own perceived talent and their actual ability. Indeed, much of the time sailing a 15 in the winter can be spent watching other classes capsize and being thankful for Uffa Fox’s wisdom.

This winter the UK fleet had a choice of where to sail, the warm, dry climate of Western Australia or the cold, damp and dark confines of the UK. I’m really pleased with my choice and I can honestly say the hospitality, friendliness and positivity of all involved with the 2023 Fremantle worlds, made it an outstanding event.

Is it an omen that in an Ashes year, Graham Vials & Chris Turner sailed exceptionally well to retain their world title representing the UK in the fantastically named ‘Floaty McFloatface’? Their starting was very strong, they would frequently cross the fleet from the port end only seconds into a race. This, backed up with a very quick downwind technique and a solid all round game ultimately proved the difference to the rest of the runners and riders. Western Australia filled the rest of the podium, with Nick Jerwood & Brad Sheridan very consistent perform-

ers throughout the wind range and Lachy Gilmore & Ryan Donaldson, stepping into a 15 from a 49er campaign proving fast learners, improving throughout the event.

I’d like to share with you the ethos of the fleet. All these boats put something back into the class, Chris and Brad through Ovington and Aus sails were event sponsors, but Lachy through his family’s amazing farm provided their Futari Wagu Beef for a Sunday night barbecue to remember. This theme of putting something back continued throughout the event with fleet members providing powerboats for cruises up the Swan River and an amazing lay day trip to Rottnest Island.

If you’d like a laugh, listen to the Bar Karate Pod Cast summarising the worlds…

https://www.buzzsprout.com/392416/12516006?t=5115

The 15 also brings a bond between helm and crew. Let’s face it, we probably spend more time together in the boat than we do with our partners. Long suffering crew Peter Bartlett on Glamour Buoys went in for a minor operation over the worlds lay day and despite having stitches in his neck refused to let his helm, Leavo (Greg Leaversuch) down. This loyalty and bravery

was rewarded with two top 10 results. In an apparent attempt to empathise with his crew, Rob Goddard and Jack Muldon swapped roles on the sail back in, the end result being a trip to an Aussie Dentist for Rob, to replace his top row of front teeth, effortlessly removed by the spinnaker pole when he was unclipping it off the mast. Again, the camaraderie of the fleet showed through when vet Dave Swan volunteered to help, but was swiftly usurped by an actual Dentist.

Now we’re back and the the open meeting season is upon us. Next up, there’s a choice of events over the weekend of 15th&16th April, either Royal Windermere’s 60th anniversary weekend of Flying 15 sailing or Datchet Water’s annual open. The open circuit then continues with venues including Grafham, Burton, Aldeburgh, Middle Nene and the not to be missed Burnham on Crouch.

Alastair Stevenson has literally hearded cats and laid on a fantastic programme of our major fixtures. They’re slightly later this year to allow time for the worlds containers to return. Their current eta into London Gateway is 11th May, so the plan is still holding together.

• Southerns: May 27th/28th at Hayling Island

• Scottish: June 17th/18th at Solway

• Northerns: July 15th/ 16th at Ullswater

• Classic Nationals: August 5th/6th at Bassenthwaite.

• Inlands: September 2nd/3rd at Chew Valley

• Nationals: September 21st – 24th at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Club

The theme I’d like us all to follow is consideration for others and fun for everyone. We are sailing for relaxation and enjoyment, let’s not spoil it by shouting and bullying. Trust me, it’s a lot more rewarding if we help and encourage our fellow sailors. To this end, we’re investing in providing coaching and debriefing to all competitors at our UK Nationals in Weymouth. This has been achieved through sponsorship with our underwriters, negotiated through Chris Waples and the aim of this coaching is to improve sailors of all abilities – not just the top boat. So, come on and join in, it’s really good fun.

Ian (Caddy) Cadwallader UKFFA President

The Commodore’s Report

Many of you will have been tracking the World Championship held in Fremantle, Australia, last month and witnessed the impressive fifth win by Graham Vials and Chris Turner. What you probably don’t know is the event will be remembered as one of the great World Championship due to a combination of the location, weather, beautiful clear blue water and the highly impressive organisation and race management from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club supported by the Fremantle Sailing Club. Not to mention the occasional sighting of sharks! There were 76 entries from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and the UK.

The Australians know how to put on a great event on and off the water. The lay day involved a visit to the well know Rottnest Island for swimming, snorkelling and a memorable lunch. One of the daily prize giving’s was held in the Western Australian Maritime Museum which houses the successful Australian II Yacht that won the America’s Cup in 1983. Two of the original crew and boat builder recalled a few memories about the innovative wing keel, their experience with the yacht design and infamous owner Alan Bond.

The next World Championship will be held in Weymouth in August 2025. Timing to suit internal visitors and appeal to families with young children. I suspect there will be a lot of interest and attendance at the pre-qualification series to secure a place. The Australians have raised the bar. The good news is the UK organisational committee have already started planning. A key aspect of these events is the securing of sponsorship to enable great events for competitors and support teams. If you have any thoughts and ideas about potential sponsorship, please let me know.

There was an opportunity for an impromptu discussion with competitors about the class and suggestions for the future. Ideas discussed included attracting younger sailors to the class, format for the World Championship and the National Cham-

pionship reduced to 2 weeks including travel and reducing the number of races from 12 and having once discard, recognition of those amongst us over 65 with a Master and Grand Master categories, adopt the 2-turn penalty within the mark round zone, greater use of the radio and wider use of social media. FFI will be reflecting on the extremely useful feedback over the coming months.

In August 2022, 71 competitors, sailed in the 75th Anniversary of the Flying Fifteen in Cowes. There was a clear winner at the end of a tough week with Andy McKee and Richard Jones sailing very consistently throughout the week in the challenging Solent tides off Hill Head and the Brambles Bank. Hosted by the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, the event was a huge success, including drinks on the Royal Yacht Squadron and a reception in Uffa Fox’s last residence on the water front. The event gave

us an ideal opportunity to produce a promotional video for the class and increase the library of photographs.

During last year FFI produced a series of technical videos, aimed at those interested in joining the class and the club sailor looking to improve performance and make it more enjoyable to sail a Flying Fifteen. I wish to thank Greg Wells, David Tulloch, Simon Childs and Kato Greer for their support in the production of the videos and UK Global Insurance for the sponsorship.

We look forward to the 2024 European Championships in the picturesque resort of Crozon-Morgat (the venue for the 2015 World Championships) on the Crozon peninsula of western Brittany and encourage you to make the trip to France.

Chris Waples FFI Commodore

2022 International Flying Fifteen European Championship at Cowes, UK 21–25 August, 2022

become worthy new 2022 European Champions

The 75th Anniversary year of the international Flying Fifteen class proved to be a bumper year. As the curtain fell on a very successful Uffa Fox 50 extravaganza, attention turned to the 2022 European Championships where 71 boats representing the length and breadth of the UK, Australia, Belgium, Hong Kong, South Africa and Spain, gathered at one of the spiritual homes of the class, the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, to continue the celebratory year of regattas.

Andy Mckee and Richard Jones

Day 1

The Solent served up a classic Cowes day with semi-overcast skies, light and shifty breeze and a moderate tidal flow. The course was set up in the busy Bramble Bank area of the Solent between Southampton Water and Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Laying a course in this busy section of water in the height of August was quite a task but the RO set up for two races of around 90 minutes duration.

With some petulant shifts and a slightly nervy fleet not used to a big start line, it took several attempts to get race one under way. On the fifth attempt under the dreaded black flag, race one got started around 1300hrs in a fluctuating soft breeze of 5–10 knots.

The pin end of the eventual start was a bit messy and caught out a couple of the top contenders. Steve Goacher and Tim Harper (RWYC) got caught in the mess tangled up with the pin mark leaving them to be one of the last boats to get off the start line. Ian Pinnell and Ian Cadwallader (Hayling Is SC) broke out a strong lead from locals Henry Bagnall and James Downer (Cowes Corinthian YC). The bulk of the fleet chased these two for three windward-leeward legs.

However, disappointment for Ian Pinnell crossing the finish line to realise he was one of four boats black flagged. This handed race one victory to Bagnall and Downer. Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado (WYC/HISC) worked hard to take second place and Michael Wilson and Peter Greenhalgh (Isle of Man YC) moved up to third. The RO re-set the course and the second race was started in a slightly steadier SW breeze of 9–11 knots. This start under black flag was exemplary and the fleet was well spread. Andy Mckee and

Richard Jones (Dovestone SC/Shotwick Lake SC), led the race from the first mark around a course of two sausages and a triangle to take the win closely followed by Steve Goacher and Tim Harper (Royal Windermere YC), making amends for a bad result in race one. Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado again sailed a sold race to finish on the podium and with their consistency, the early lead in the regatta. Ian Pinnell & Ian Cadwallader recovered from their disappointment in race one to finish 4th in race 2.

Of the visitors, Campbell Alexander and David Herridge from Durban in South Africa sailed a solid day to sit in 10th overall and Philippa Packer and Dean McAullay from Royal Freshwater Bay YC in Perth, Western Australia sit in 11th overall at the end of the day.

Day 2

The second day of competition was greeted with drizzle, overcast skies and a light and quite fickle 7–12 knots of S/SW breeze. 3 races were scheduled predicting a long day on the water.

After a few attempts race 3 got away sailing a 3 lap course. Andy Mckee & Richard Jones picked up from where they left off with a race win from Andrew Jameson and James Grant (WYC/HISC) joining the podium for the first time. Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett were third.

Race 4 of the regatta was raced in much the same conditions but with some more black flag waving. Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado (HISC) were back to winning ways and Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett were getting some consistency with a second. Third was Mark Nicholson and Steve Culpitt (HISC), their first visit to the podium. Race 5 followed late in the afternoon when

the wind shifted a little causing a course re-shuffle. More black flags and some persistent drizzle. Greg Wells and David Tulloch (HISC) scored their first race win of the regatta. Nigel and Gavin Tullett (Royal Windermere YC) had a great race to finish second and 3rd was Hamish Mackay and Andrew Lawson (RTYC/HISC).

After 5 races Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado increased their overall lead after discarding their worse result to date, a 12th, to top the leader board with 16 points.

Big movers were Andy McKee and Richard Jones, discarding their opening day 22nd and posting a 1, 13, 8 to move from seventh into second with 23 points.

Henry Bagnall and James Downer could not match their first day performance and a 19, 4, 15 saw them drop back to third with 26 points.

In fourth were Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett, now able to drop their BFD, for 28 points. Fifth were Hamish Mackay and Andrew Lawson with 31 points and sixth Greg Wells and David Tulloch who won the final race of the day on 33 points.

Top visiting boat was John Lavery and Alan Green from National YC in Dublin who sit in 10th place overall.

On Tuesday 23 August, the fleet take a break from the Europeans to sail in a special Class 75th Anniversary Regatta started from the Royal Yacht Squadron. The F15 Europeans resumed on Wednesday 24 August. n.b.: see separate report.

Day 3

On the penultimate day of racing the sun came back out but the wind died for a few hours then did a 180 degree flip about lunchtime. A two race day was delayed for a couple of hours waiting for the wind to settle and the tide to go slack.

The RO released the fleet from shore around 1300hrs but it was quite a slog to get across the tide to the starting area near Hill Head buoy. When the breeze did settle it allowed two back to back races to be sailed in a fairly stable 8–12 knot S/SW. Less black flags as the fleet got used to mass starts, but a tactical course all the same. Seasoned F15 regulars Andy Mckee and Richard Jones excelled in the light winds scoring bullets in both races. Terry Shutcher and Chris Hewkin (Burton/ Shotley/Dubai Offshore SC) proved their win in the 75th Anniversary Race was no fluke, crossing in second in race 6 of the regatta, followed by Hamish Mackay and Andrew Lawson (RTYC/ HISC) in 3rd. w

Race 7 was sailed in similar light breezes with the now familiar blue kite of Mckee and Jones taking the gun from ex Finn sailing local hot shots Henry Bagnall and James Downer (Cowes Corinthian YC). Third was Ian Pinnell and Ian Cadwallader.

The results at the end of 7 races left Mckee and Jones on 25 points, Previous regatta leaders Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado slipped to second overall on 32 points after counting two 8th places. Bagnall and Downer’s 12 & 2 moved them into third place on the overall table on 40 points.

All was still to play for however with one more race scheduled on the final day but once 8 races were completed a second drop came into play so the European title was still very much in the air!

Day 4

The final days racing forecast was for early showers clearing late morning and another light breeze to fill just in time to get the final race completed before the 1600hrs cut off.

The 75th Anniversary Flying Fifteen European Championship came to a fitting close on another semi-overcast but warm, humid day (for the Solent)!. There was a short delay of an hour to wait for the wind to fill, which it did, to start one final 3 lap race at 1330hrs on the second attempt.

The wind averaged 10–12 knots from a NW in direction, with a slightly stronger ebbing tide improving upwind boat speeds by a shade. With a second series race discard coming into play the maths was a bit complicated but Andy Mckee and Richard Jones did enough with an 18th finish in the last race to win the championship. The pair from Dovestone SC / Shotwick Lake SC counted four race wins and an overall net points score of 25 points.

Their nearest threat before the last race of the series was Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado but the Hyde Sails pair suffered a bad start and struggled deep in the pack for the first two laps, deciding to throw in the towel and retire.

But this did provide another twist in the maths when Ian Pinnell and Ian Cadwallader (Pinnell & Bax) broke into a handsome lead to finish their regatta with a race win and thus, when dropping a lowly 27th in the 5th race of the series, promoted them to second place overall on 30 points.

Richard and Matt secured third overall nudging the youngest competitors in the fleet, Henry Bagnall and James Downer to a very credible 4th overall. Henry and James both sailed in the British Finn squad and James still races an OK Dinghy but the pair jumped into a Flying Fifteen this week for the first time to give it a go. Henry explained that he had borrowed the boat from his father in law and enjoyed his time with the fleet but was suitably surprised by the level of competition.

5th overall was Hamish Mackay and Andrew Lawson (RTYC / HISC) and 6th, seasoned F15 campaigners Greg Wells and David Tulloch from the big team from Hayling Island SC.

Top of the visitors was John Lavery and Alan Green from the National YC in Dublin in 15th overall. All the way from Australia, Philippa Packer and Dean McAullay from

Royal Freshwater Bay YC came in 21 overall and top of the two South African boats was Campbell Alexander and David Heritage from Durban in 27th. The three visiting Spanish boats from Puerto Pollenca were in a row 46,47 & 48.

The Silver fleet trophy went to Graham Latham and Sara Briscoe from Parkstone YC. The trophy for best local sailors went to Henry Bagnall and James Downer.

This event staged by Cowes Corinthian YC brings to a close two weeks of thoroughly successful and enjoyable F15 sailing on the Solent on this the 75th anniversary of the class.

At the prize giving all were thanked for their hard work including the many volunteers from CCYC who fed and watered sailors with cholesterol busing breakfast buns and burgers/hot dogs every day!

For full results see: http://www.ff75.org/

by Jonny Fullerton of Regatta Services

on behalf of FFI

Flying Fifteen 75th Anniversary Race sailed at Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK 23 August 2022

The Flying Fifteen International 75th Anniversary Race took place as a separate event during the class European Championship hosted by Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club around the cans of the Solent.

40 Flying Fifteens from 6 countries sailed out to the start line on another warm and humid semi-overcast day in Cowes with a gentle 8 - 12 knot breeze wafting up the Solent from a S/SW direction.

The Race Committee set a 6.6 nautical mile course with a start under cannon fire from the Royal Yacht Squadron. There was a quick sprint upwind to the Gurnard Cardinal and a packed rounding before a long downwind leg to Prince Consort off Cowes Harbour entrance.

The fleet split into two halves some opting for the offshore route and the others trying to keep out of the tide along the shore. It turned out that the offshore boats found a bit more

wind pressure. Another short leg under spinnakers to South Bramble. By now the fleet was quite spread out for a long run to Ancasta, off East Cowes. The final leg was a beat back up to a finish line of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Terry Shutcher and Chris Hewkin (Burton/Shotley/Dubai Offshore SC) took the Royal Yacht Squadron gun winning the race by about 10 boat lengths from John Hansen and Helen Selden (Datchet SC) in second. The final gun went to Charles and Charlie Apthorp (Cowes Corinthian YC).

Racing was followed by a rather splendid Reception at the Commodores House, home of the late, great Uffa Fox, designer of the class 75 years ago.

Full Results of 75th Anniversary Race; www.ff75.org

NB: The 75th Anniversary Race was not part of the F15 European Championship Series by Jonny Fullerton of Regatta Services on behalf of FFI

A l’eau c’est l’heure - (‘Allo Sailor ;-))

Hello fellow Fifteeners... thought I might share a few words having just completed the Belgian Championship at Club SNEH in the wonderful Lac de L’eau d’Heure region of Wallonia, Belgium.

My mate Josh drove through the night from UK to join me in Gent, Belgium on the morning of Friday October 7th — we then high tailed it to Holland (as you do ) to collect the boat (Angelina 3899) and drive back through Belgium to Froidchapelle — South of Charleroi — I was struck by the topical nature of the name... just missing a III.

As we left Charleroi in our wake we were greeted by rolling countryside and even hills — quite a thing to behold when you live in Flanders — as I now do. The Lacs de L’eau D’Heure consists of seven man made lakes — each with a different designation — water skiing, fishing, jet skiing and diving etc... brilliant — conflict avoidance at its’ best!

We were headed for the Lac De La Platte Taille — this turned out to be a lake formed by a truly massive dam — with a scary drop of 200ft or more — apparently they use spare power from wind and sun etc... to pump water up to the higher level to then release it to provide hydro electric juice when needed — we both agreed we had never sailed on a “battery” before.

We were welcomed at the club by Alain — president of the Belgian Flying Fifteen Association. I enjoyed their abbreviation of the class to “Le Flying”. Alain was enthusiastic and could not have done more to help us feel welcome and ready for the following days racing.... he scurried off and booked a restaurant and told us when to “rendezvous” later that evening... no question of us dining alone. We had a fine and convivial evening in a busy restaurant serving local and traditional cuisine.

We were blessed with phenomenal weather for the entire weekend — we were a fleet of 12 including some beautiful classics — a number of boats in the fleet had been imported from UK — “Swallow” (being sailed extremely well) was a familiar sight and a blast from the past.

This is not a race report — you can look that up — but the whole event, racing, onshore, social was off the scale brilliant. I honestly found myself questioning the reception we have given

to visitors at my ex club in UK... hmmmm. The members of SNEH could not have done more to make the event warm, welcoming, generous, caring and fun. Our meal on the Saturday was “all inclusive” for €30 — the beer and wine was flowing without cessation and the food was knock out — Belgian beer flowing freely is a very dangerous prospect, trust me.

The prize giving was a magical event with the rewards being dominated by beer of, again, frightening alcoholic strength — all very normal to your average Belgian. All participants got a prize — the “podium” received a trophy AND a polo shirt and even more beer.... The applause we got when receiving our prizes was absolutely massive with so many people thanking us for making the effort to show up — I managed a few shabby words in French and again was greeted by warm adulation....

My message is this: its really worth the effort guys — several boats from this Belgian club travelled to Cowes and we really do need to support them in return. Make a week of it — bring your bikes — its a fabulous cycling area — but please lets support this super event.... As a new resident of Belgium (in spite of Brexit) I would be delighted to help you with logistics, accommodation etc....

We sailed eight races — four each day — excellent race management — no messing about (we shared the event with another fleet called “Le Penant”) — it’s flooky as all hell but there is always that Belgian beer to numb any pain — half an hour after getting ashore, life is always good!

I would like to acknowledge our new found friends at SNEH — they could not have done more to make us feel like guests of honour! We had a really wonderful time.

Un grand merci a toute l’equipe “Flying SNEH” et “chapeau” pour un evennement inoubliable! Merci a tous et a l’annee prochaine!

Josh and Andy

Solway Yacht Club’s long-established Flying Fifteen fleet

It is uncertain when the first Flying Fifteen came to Kippford and sailed from the Urr estuary into the Solway Firth, but it was a long time ago, probably in the early 1950s. The class became established and continues to thrive at the Solway Yacht Club to this day. Based in Kippford, on the Colvend coast between Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, in the beautiful “Scottish Riviera”, the Club enjoys one of Scotland’s best sea sailing venues.

At the time when the estuary and the upriver harbour at Palnackie were still actively engaged in commercial shipping, the channel was deep enough for many of the Flying Fifteens to be wet sailed, remaining on moorings at all states of the tide, even though the river had never been dredged. Some moorings were up the river above a high mud bank around where there was, and still is, a deeper pool. Before the Second World War, it was deep enough for “Solway Maid” to stay afloat with a draft of 9 feet but since then, all took the ground. Between the bottom of the mud bank and the bend, towards the present slipway, other boats partially dried out every tide, with boats lying on the mud. More recently the channel almost completely dries out at low water so the whole fleet is hauled out after sailing.

A past Commodore of SYC, Joe Girotti was a great friend of Uffa Fox whom he met because Joe was a member of The Island Sailing Club at Cowes, as was Uffa, and Joe bought his first 15, “Cinderella”, (sail number 76) made of GRP (alias “The Glass w

The sailing area itself is the picturesque setting of the outer Urr estuary with Rough Island, a National Trust for Scotland reserve to the East with the Almorness peninsula to the West. Beyond the estuary, Hestan Island is a popular focus of many races with courses set around the island combined with marks further out into the Solway Firth.

Just a sample of the local surroundings (photo; Becky Davison)

Joe Girotti sailing his second “Cinderella” 216 off Kippford (photo: SYC collection) Heading for Hestan Island (photo: Becky Davison)

Slipper”) in 1954. However, the hull was very soft. When the crew went on board at the mooring, the first job was to jump on the turn of whichever bilge the boat had been resting on and push it back into shape with a “boing”. He only had the boat for a year, and the second “Cinderella”, 216, arrived in 1955. By 1964 Joe Girotti owned “Cinderella” 490 and by 1968 he had changed boats again, “Cinderella” becoming 1018.

In 1957 SYC hosted the Flying Fifteen Northern Championships, won by Joe. He always said he only won because he knew the local conditions. By this time Dr. Peter Murray Kerr and his wife Philippa, (“Skate” 128), Joe Rickerby, (“Ffumff” 152), whose racing flag was a pheasant’s tail feather on a swivel, Bill Bleakley (“Folette” 620), Barry Filer (“Fe-Fi-FoFum” 202), Kenneth Wright (76 renamed “Fflook”), Tommy Hutchison (611) and some others had 15s, all on moorings, and this prompted the purchase and modification of the old Kippford Pier into the forerunner of the present slipway and dinghy park. At first, it was found that a F15 on a trailer head to wind in a gale would tip up backwards breaking either the rudder or the whole stern section off and so a row of fixed ball hitches was provided, concreted to the ground.

Ronald Copland won the Scottish Championship in 1962 and Northern Championship in 1962 and 1963 sailing “Figleaf”, 505, although he never actually sailed that boat at Kippford. He had been the SYC Cadet Captain in 1955. Jim Benson had an early 15, and there used to be a photo of them apparently sitting on the water after their boat filled with water. Another Flying Fifteen owner, Kenneth Wright was occasionally crewed by Heather Nicholson, a founder member of Kirkcudbright SC.

Over the years, the Club has been fortunate to enjoy great support, not least from Uffa Fox himself, who came to the Club to open the newly constructed pier in 1958. He brought the Duke of Edinburgh’s own Flying Fifteen “Coweslip” with him, on the roof of his Humber Super Snipe car, the unbolted keel in the car’s boot. Mrs Fox duly cut the ribbon to open the pier before Uffa Fox, joined by local crew, launched, and duly won the Kippford Quaich.

One memory from the late 1970s is the young Colin Filer’s lovingly restored wooden boat (“Fe-Fo 2”, 393) but after only a year, the boat was lost off the estuary, sinking after becoming waterlogged in bad weather. She was not the only F15 to end her days at SYC. Another Flying Fifteen was badly damaged while on her mooring and ended up half buried in the mud, only the

Uffa Fox, probably the greatest racing dinghy and yacht designer of all time (photo: SYC collection)

Mrs Uffa Fox cuts the ribbon to open the new SYC pier, 1958 (Photo, SYC collection)

Scottish Flying Fifteen Championships fleet 2016 (photo: Becky Davison)

keel protruding. Inevitably the keel had to be removed as it had become a hazard to other boats. The remnants of both boats must still be out there, along with an E boat in mid Solway and an OK, together with several trading schooners from a previous era, all ending their days in the mud of the Solway or the Urr estuary.

By 1994 SYC hosted the Flying Fifteen Scottish Championships with 29 boats racing. The event was won by “It Pays To Advertise”, (3421) sailed by Steve Goacher and Phil Evans.

More recently, the class held the highly successful 2016 Scottish Championship at the Club attracting an international fleet, led home again by World Champion Steve Goacher. Entrants were treated to a surprise by the Club’s enthusiastic cadets who formed the “Shore Fforce” assisting launching, berthing trailers once launched, and then amazing the fleet by having trailers ready, in order, for hauling out and returning to their shore berths, all courtesy of the SYC “Shore Fforce”!

As well as occasionally hosting the Scottish Championships, the annual Kippford Week and RNLI Regatta, run by the Club, includes Flying Fifteen fleet racing, usually on their own or similar courses to the larger cruising yachts. The week is a great competitive and social event, and also includes fast medium, and slow handicap racing for the dinghy fleet. It attracts a wide range of sailors but always includes many of the Club’s enthusiastic cadets, graduating from the Club’s Cadet Week a fortnight earlier, and all prospective Flying Fifteen sailors.

Uffa Fox preparing to launch “Coweslip” from the new pier (Photo, SYC collection)

Scottish Flying Fifteen Championships 2016 race start (photo: Becky Davison)

Uffa Fox sailing “Coweslip” 192 and, with his local crew Tommy Hutchinson, won the Kippford Quaich in 1958. This photo is believed to be of Uffa Fox sailing “Coweslip” at Royal Tay YC where he won the Northern Championships in 1955 (Photo, SYC collection)

2023 will see the return of the Scottish Championships to SYC over the weekend of 17th & 18th June 2023. Kippford Week 2023 will be held from 31st July to 4th August with the RNLI Regatta race on 5th August. A warm Solway YC welcome is guaranteed for all visitors.

While Flying Fifteen fleet numbers have fluctuated over the years, there are always willing members to help newcomers enjoy great sailing and a vibrant Club social life. Long may it continue!

With thanks to current and past Flying Fifteen sailors, and others, at SYC for their recollections and contributions. In particular, Gordon Daly, Colin Filer, Robert Dinwiddie, Heather Dodds, Ronald Copland, Stewart Biggar and his complete collection of SYC Handbooks from 1950s to 2020 saved by his late mother, Mrs Jean Biggar, an SYC Honorary Member.

Scott Train, Commodore, Solway Yacht Club, August 2022

Scottish Flying Fifteen Championships Shore Fforce 2016 (photo: Becky Davison)

Flying Fifteen club racing at SYC 2022: Scott Train and Anne Stewart (“Iffor The Engine” 3362) lead Colin Filer and Jamie Gascoigne (“Fe-Fo 6” 3902), the Club’s current leading F15 crews, approaching the gybe mark in an early season race (Photo: Margaret Purkis)

Two classic Uffa Fox designs sailing at Solway YC 2022! Colin Filer and Jamie Gascoigne catch Ian and Margaret Purkis in their Firefly and, overtaking in the final few seconds, win the SYC 100minute Spring Pursuit Race. (Photo; Sarah Bishop)

Kippford Week 2022;“Riviera” sunshine, light winds but still close racing (Photo: Becky Davison)

Endeavour Homes 2023 Australian Championship & Flying 15 World Championships FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA — MARCH

9 – 25

Sailors enjoyed blue skies, late summer warm sunshine, crystal clear warm waters and light to moderate breezes for the long awaited Endeavour Homes 2023 Australian Championship and Flying Fifteen World Championship sailed on the Indian Ocean off Fremantle. Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club organised and ran the regattas with support from South of Perth Yacht Club and Fremantle Sailing Club, the regatta venue.

A total of 79 boats from 4 continents entered with overseas entries travelling from as far away as South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, New Zealand and all over Australia. Flying 15’s travelled from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, the majority of those taking the 2-3 day trip across the Nullabor Plain to get to WA. Containers of boats arrived from the UK, New Zealand and the East Coast of Australia courtesy of the MSC Shipping Group.

Twelve days of Flying Fifteen racing opened with an Invitational race followed by four days of racing for the Australian Championship. Another lay day in the middle was followed by seven days of World Championship racing with another lay day in the middle.

Launching required a small army of volunteers marshalled by volunteers and ably assisted by ‘Lillo” Graeme Lillingston who is an 11 time Flying 15 Australian champion and former world champion who was supervising the crane operation and no doubt offering a few of his own tips about racing a Flying 15.

Racing took place on the ‘Owen Anchorage’ race course with an assortment of race courses using the windward / leeward

and triangle formats. The PRO’s for the event were the Wilson brothers from Victoria, Australia, Kevin and Ross, with a big race management team including many past Flying 15 sailors and members from RFBYC, SoPYC, FSC and EBYC.

Invitational Race

The Invitational race took place in perfect sailing conditions, providing an opportunity for all sailors to test the waters. Nick Jerwood and Brad Sheridan (AUS) finished comfortably ahead of Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR) with Greg Tonnison and Nick Robinson (AUS) taking third spot.

Australian Championship

The Australian Championship consisted of four days of racing with a total of 7 races sailed in predominantly light to moderate breezes with anything from shifty offshore Easterly’s to the slightly fresher sea breeze from the South West.

On the opening day the fleet were treated to ideal sailing conditions with moderate winds and warm sunshine. Three British boats started the regatta strongly taking the top three spots in the first race. In the second Philippa Packer and Dean McAullay (RFBYC) led from start to finish from the first windward mark. Grant Alderson and Luke Paterson (RFBYC) chased hard all around the course to settle for second place.

There was more champagne sailing on day 2. Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR) led race 3 from the first windward mark to the finish line. The battle for second place was a bit more intense. Grant Alderson and Luke Paterson crossing 3rd. Race 4

Chris Turner (GBR) led briefly at the windward mark but Grant Alderson and Luke Paterson (RFBYC) overtook by the time they reached the downwind gate and went on to claim the race win. After races 5 and 6 on day 3 or the regatta, Grant Alderson and Luke Paterson took the lead in the series with two more race wins.

On the final day with ominous black clouds and an encroaching storm, Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR), crossed the finish line in the mizzle to become Australian Champions and by finishing third in the final race, Grant Alderson and Luke Paterson (RFBYC) had to settle for second overall missing out on the title by one solitary point.

Brits Ian Pinnell and Ian Cadwallader finished third overall and another British boat sailed by Hamish Mackay and Andrew Lawson finished fourth overall. Fifth overall went to local sailors Nick Jerwood and Brad Sheridan (SoPYC).

The remaining top 10 places were taken up by Australian teams with notable performances by the ex Olympic sailors Lachy Gilmour and Ryan Donaldson (RFBYC/Esperance Bay YC) in 6th. A lay day followed the Australian Nationals to allow for re-tuning, relaxing and a bit of local sightseeing. w

World Championship Series

Seven days of world championship racing began on Saturday 25 March with three consecutive days of light to moderate winds sailing under warm Fremantle skies.

On day 1 current world champions Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR) were out of sight to finish the opening day with two bullets in 12–16 knots of SW breeze.

Sunday race day 2 was sailed in 7–8 knots from the East, shutting down and swinging south late in the afternoon. The youngest crew at the regatta RFBYC sailors Lachy Gilmour and Ryan Donaldson held off the competition in a fading breeze to

win race 3. Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR) made it 3 wins out of 4 races to establish an overall lead.

The fleet enjoyed a real treat after racing, a Wagyu beef BBQ served on the sundeck, supplied by legendary Western Australian Match Racing guru Peter Gilmour and his family including his son Lachy, the race winner of the first race of the day.

Race day 3 served up another 10–12 knot Easterly going very light later in the day.

The second race of the day was a first race win for Philippa Packer and Dean McAullay, as it turned out later the first race win at a world championship for a female skipper!

Just one race took place on day 4 of the regatta in 7–11 knots

from SW as the championship went past the half way mark after 7 races with 1 discard, Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR) led overall but the gap was closing to second placed Nick Jerwood and Brad Sheridan. Another GBR boat sailed by Ian Pinnell and Ian Cadwallader remained third overall. The fleet then enjoyed an evening at Gage Roads Brewery on the Fremantle Harbour wall followed by daily presentations at the WA Maritime Museum with an entertaining chat with the 1983 Americas Cup winning crew members.

The lay day on Wednesday will be remembered by the fleet for a very long time.

An epic day where the vast majority of the fleet of 150 w

competitors took a boat trip to ‘Rotto’ (Rottnest Island) organised by the hospitality gurus, the ‘Glamour Buoys’. (Greg ‘Levo’ Leaversuch and Peter Barblett)

David Yu and Levo’s good ship the Four Seasons was loaded to the gunnels with grog and a smorgasbord of grub. Having rafted up with other vessel’s at Parker Point for a mass swim they joined others who had gone by ferry for a massive lunch at the pub.

After racing resumed on day 5, two more races were held in 10–12 knots of SW breeze. Two boats were edging ahead of the rest of the fleet. Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR) won both races just ahead of Nick Jerwood and Brad Sheridan (AUS) (2/2). Both crews were putting a bit of daylight between themselves and the rest of the fleet. The British team had now racked up 5 race wins in the series.

No sailing was possible on the penultimate day or the regatta due to insufficient wind and a rare phenomenon in Fremantle, some light rain! Only one race was sailed on the final day of the championship. With an unassailable lead Graham Vials and Chris Turner (GBR) won their unprecedented fifth World Championship in the class. Vials and Turner from Derwent Reservoir / Lyme Regis SC won 5 of the 10 world championship races and with drops of a 4th and 8th they could not be beaten.

Nick Jerwood and Brad Sheridan from South of Perth YC/ Fremantle SC led the final race from start to finish extending on every leg. The Australian pair did everything possible to close the points gap on ‘Floaty McFloat Face’ (Vials and Turner) but ended up just three points shy of the British boat.

Going into the last race the there was only one point difference between third and fourth place overall. The youngest crew in the fleet, ex Olympic sailors Lachy Gilmour and Ryan Donaldson from Royal Freshwater Bay YC / Esperance Bay YC, had steadily improved throughout the regatta and again had to work their way through the leading bunch to take second in the last race and secure an excellent third overall.

Sailors, families and friends all enjoyed presentations at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club with a large banquet to celebrate a thoroughly successful regatta. The camaraderie and mate-ship was noted within the fleet and the vast group of volunteers a key factor in the success of the regattas. FFI Commodore Chris Waples described it as the best that he had attended and it bodes well for the future of hosting major regattas in Perth and Fremantle.

by Jonny Fullerton of Regatta Services

Overall positions: (Top ten of 76)

How to keep older Flying Fifteens competitive

Following conversations about the number of boats available for sale within the fleet, the discussion drifted onto the fact that older boats (Ovington 9s & 10s especially) can be just as competitive as a new boat given the right level and direction of investment.

The comment was made that there are plenty of under and unused F15s in most fleet dinghy parks that could form the basis of a campaign by new top-level (and club level) entrants into the fleet, but because of their knowledge of other fleets where new boats are paramount to success, there may not be an appreciation as to the longevity of a F15 hull and how something sitting unloved in a boat park could be brought up to a competitive level with just a little effort.

I asked several the UK fleet leading helms about their experiences of racing boats that are not in their first flush of youth and how they keep them competitive.

Jeremy Davy has the oldest (3760 registered in 2002), but Richard Lovering’s is now over 10 years of age (4002 registered in 2012), and Charles Apthorp has F15s of various vintages

including 3591 built 1997, although as he would admit it is a little non-standard for the time.

We asked them, “What would you say to someone looking to enter the fleet with ambition, lacking the budget for a new boat, but able to make a lower-level investment.” Here is an amalgam of their responses.

The following is good advice for both current owners of older boats and those seeking to buy them. Not maintaining your boat is throwing money down the drain as much as spending on maintenance may seem when you lightly use the boat. You risk not get the money for your boat when selling that you were expecting.

• Excellent condition sails are a must have for performance. Spinnakers need to be renewed annually if you are seeking to compete at a high level in Championships, the same may be said for jibs, whereas mainsails may last 2 seasons. At the front of the fleet, older sails are used for club racing and the newer sails kept back for these top events. This is a budget item for the new owner.

We think, because the Ovi boats have always been so well made, that any Ovi-made boat is competitive. It always struck me that Steve (Goacher) kept 3721 for a long time after the Mk10 came out and I think that’s because he wasn’t convinced the Mk10 was faster. When we sailed 3712 at the 2017 Inlands (because 3760 was still in the container coming back from the Kiwi Worlds) we thought we were quick against all the new boats. So I personally think that any Ovi, including Mk9s, should be competitive at the front of the fleet.

• Masts age, especially if the boat is sailed at sea and in salt water, so it may be worth replacing them every 4-5 years, and it needs to be straight. F15s don’t suffer breakages in spars as much as other fleets so it is possible to have a 10to 15-year-old mast in a boat. Ask the current owner if he knows the age of the mast. If the answer is no, then you can assume that it may be at or beyond the replacement age.

• Hull and keel underside kept up together, smooth, and repainted when necessary to prevent rust forming in the keel. The rudder post should be straight, and the rudder should sit correctly against the underside of the boat. If the boat has an older rudder, then upgrading to a new one may be a consideration.

• Fittings and ropes need to be replace as required. If a boat has been left for a long time, you can expect quite a lot of this. A lot of F15’s are fitted out with Harken fittings which means they last a long time especially if washed and maintained. Ropes wear all the time and one breaking during a race is unforgivable if it is due to parsimony.

• Make sure the boat cover is in excellent order, made with breathable material and well fitted to protect boat from elements when not in use (wind, water, UV protection). You will need to replace this every few years!

• Never let a boat sit with water in it. Never leave a boat with the undercover fitted for long periods. Nor allow it to lie in such a manner that water can pool inside the boat.

“Anyone who buys a second-hand Ovi Fifteen will never lose money because they’re such awesome boats. That’s why the Fifteen will always be the best double-handed keelboat in the World, because you can buy one, compete in a fantastic class and always know your investment is safe!”

Fundamentally, an older Ovington Mk 10 or a Mk 9 can be purchased and brought up to generally modern specifications and levels of performance. Look to buy a boat that has been well looked after and upgraded during ownership, or expect to have to spend on your new boat after purchase.

Some owners have upgraded Ovington Mk 9’s, placing a new bulkhead in front of the mast and removed part of tank in front to save weight. This increases the stiffness of the boat.

If your new boat costs 4-5 k and you have spent another 3k bringing it up to as new trim it is like to be at the front of the fleet with a good sailor, inland and also at sea in winds up to F3 (Ovington 9). Compared to the £25k+ for a new boat, you are getting into the fleet at a good price.

After all this has been taken into consideration remember that the fastest item in the boat is “the nut on the end of the tiller!”

So, are you investing in yourself? Learning from others,

• Planning your campaigns, understanding the tides if required

I would say the boats that perform well are the ones that have been well cared for during their ownership. That isn’t what people want to hear but pulling a boat out of a boat park for £5000 that has not been looked after will come with a bill to get it back up together. Certainly, the materials in modern boat building mean they have the potential to remain competitive for a longer period of time.

• Keeping up levels of fitness,

• Keeping records of settings and what appears to work and what does not.

We enjoy sailing a boat that gives a thrilling ride and exposes mistakes but depreciates very slowly. More people will come to realise that over time and if we look after our boats, when we need them no longer, they will find new grateful owners if we have invested our time and money to care for the boat.

Exclusive craft insurance for Members of the UK Flying 15 Association

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As well as providing exclusive benefits and competitive premiums, with an additional £20 discount for UKFFA members*, the scheme provides important income for the Association, which helps fund activities for members.

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We may be able to reduce your premium costs as well as reviewing your cover to ensure your club has the protection it needs.

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T: 01883 333512

E: jerry.dungate@ukglobalgroup.co.uk

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*A £20 administration fee is removed each year for members of the UKFFA. UKGlobal, UKGlobal Group and UKGlobal Insurance Brokers are trading names of UKGlobal Broking Group Limited. UKGlobal Broking Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No.840855. The UK Flying Fifteen Association is an Introducer Appointed Representative of UKGlobal Broking Group Limited. Marketing Info - 11.01.23

Flying 15 UK Nationals 2022

HAYLING ISLAND JULY 7 th – 10 th

42 boats entered for the Flying 15 UK Nationals 2022, continuing the smaller entries since both Covid and also the higher fuel costs in 2022, despite this being a qualification year. In fact, only 41 turned up and one boat only did one race before succumbing to Covid.

Boat numbers reached 4104 with Nathan Batchelor arriving with a hot off the press pre-sold boat, to race with Richard Rigg.

The fleet were also lucky in the tide states during the event, never having to fight the tides on their leaving and re-entering Chichester Harbour, although the long drag back up the beach got longer each day. This year’s solution to the problems by HISC were a young and fit beach team to take care of parking of trailers after launching and a tractor to supplement the self-help approach to getting back up the beach and ramp into the boat park (6 people a boat seemed to be the right number).

Winds overall were on the lighter side, only perking up when augmented by a sea breeze.

Frustration ruled on day 1

The first day got off to a frustrating start, with a tricky tide causing 6 failed starts before the wind died for 3 hours.

A combination of late wind changes, scrapped starts and

general recalls frustrated the Race Officer and the fleet on the first day. A few competitors fell foul of the black flag on later starts, notable the Ian’s Pinnell and Cadwallader, FFI President Chris Waples and Simon Hunt and HISC F15 Fleet Captain Mark Nicholson and Steve Culpitt.

By 2pm the wind totally died and the fleet drifted around waiting for the new sea breeze to fill in. Race Officer Mark

w huggers. Downwind was yet again another split between gybing and bearing off and this time it was no contest with those not gybing winning out down at the leeward mark. The second beat served to consolidate positions with no one in the leading group making the mistake of gybing on the second and last run.

Darling kept his patience though and repositioned the committee boat in anticipation and when the new breeze appeared shortly before his cut off time of 4pm, the fleet started cleanly in the new south westerly breeze.

The fleet split into two with Greg Wells and crew David Tulloch leading a group out to sea to take the benefit of the flooding tide. The other tracked along the shore before tacking out to sea. The result was a slight advantage for the shore

SAILS COVERS ACCESSORIES

The winning team were Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado, followed by Steve Goacher and Tim Harper, and George Jordan and Matt Armstrong taking the next two podium positions.

Day 2: Sun and breeze — all a sailor could ask for

Friday dawned sunny and warm giving great hopes for the establishment of a steady sea breeze. The race officer had the fleet launching at 10am when there was no breeze, with some sailors paddling out to catch the ebb tide. It was not long before the sea breeze appeared confirming the Race Officer’s judgement.

Race 2 started cleanly at the second time of asking into a south-westerly breeze, after a last-minute postponement just before the starting gun to cater for a late wind shift.

The fleet split quickly into the “shore-huggers” who went tight to avoid the tide and the “intrepids” who threw caution to the wind and went out to sea despite the tidal situation. The result appeared to be a draw as the two fleets arrived 200 yards downwind of the windward mark at roughly the same time, but the final 200 metres favoured the huggers. The tide at the windward mark caught out a number of boats. On the downwind leg Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett gybed off to port and took

the lead from Dave Lucas sailing with his son Harry. Both boats held their lead to the finish with Jeremy maintaining his lead.

Race 3 started on time after a 25 degree course correction to accommodate the arrival of the proper sea breeze from a more southerly direction. Shane MacCarthy and Adam Froggart from Ireland started at the left side of the start line went out to sea and led the fleet around the windward mark and the held on for the rest of the race to take the line honours.

Race 4 started with a proper sea breeze and all the crews could use the toe straps and get comfy. It again got away first time, with more boats this time choosing the out to sea course. They benefited from a lift and lea-bow effect as they approached the windward mark but again boats got caught out by the tide as they attempted the rounding. New-coming amateur to the fleet Vince (Wally) Hoary came in late on port and tacked underneath Richard Lovering and Matt Alverado but failed to make the rounding. Nathan Batchelor and Richard Rigg led around the windward mark and was untouchable for the rest of the race followed at the finish by Graham Vials and Chris Turner with the two Ians (Pinnell and Cadwallader) in third.

Ashore there was general agreement that it was a “champagne sailing” day. Many of the photos come from this day’s racing. (see the UKFFA website gallery). w

Day 3: After the champagne, the flat lemonade!

Day 3 started with a strong northerly wind and cloud cover forecasting the result that a sea breeze never really got going today. The four races the Race Officer was planning was never likely to happen.

Race 1 the Race Officer set a course towards the shore in a North Easterly breeze, with the fleet splitting into the two packs as on Friday, those going right seemed correct until the final 100 yards when the wind lifted the port tack boats to the mark. The breeze was shifty, and the windward mark needed continuous adjustment, the runs were equally fickle with a definite split between the wings on the first run, the right appeared favoured and on the second the left appeared to pay. Graham Vials and Chris Turner played the right hand and scored their first bullet.

Race 2 had a beat to the northwest as the wind swung round with the attempt at a sea breeze starting. Those in the know started at the pin end and went left whilst the majority of the fleet went right; The left hookers were doing well, and the leaders Nigel Buckley and Sue Bannister even got around the windward mark in under the 20 minute time limit but the Race Officer abandoned the race anyway as those on the right of the course were in a big hole. I think Mark may be dropped from

Sue Bannister’s Christmas card

list!

Race 2 (“the re-run”) commenced after a break for the wind to settle into the southwest with the windward mark in the full flood of the tide. The fleet undertook the usual left right split with the result a small win for the right. The run was a simple bear away to keep in the tidal stream for as long as possible. The tide around the windward mark caused problems for many boats. Andrew Jameson and James Grant took the honours in this race. Race 3 was promising with an increased wind strength and the wind coming more from the south. The start was another repeat of the previous starts, but most chose to go out to sea. Those who tracked along the shore got to see the wind holes the middle of the fleet into. The right-hand side seemed ideal again until the final 100 yards again when those boats were headed and the seafarers lifted to the mark. It paid yet again to give the windward mark plenty of room. The second beat was shortened by the Race Officer as the breeze was again dying in the battle with the north wind. Graham Vials and Chris Turner won, their second race of the series.

Day 4: A clear blue sky and a light southerly breeze

The fleet were keen to get out and enjoy the promise of an excellent day’s racing, with the Race Officer planning to get 3 races in.

Race 1 was set with a beat southwest to the Isle of Wight, The fleet rose to the challenge by again splitting into shore and seaward divisions. The battle was won by the seaward sailors as they were lifted to the mark in the closing stages. The tide was very evident at this stage, and some did not make the rounding at the first attempt. The run again was a choice between gybing immediately or carrying on down tide, The latter choice appeared to be favoured as these boats could harden up and reach more into the leeward marks. This set the scene for the rest of the day, but not everyone got the message right away. However, the gybe “immediately approach” at least worked for Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett who took their second lines

honours of the regatta.

Race 2 saw the windward mark tracking further to the south with the fleet split again, those favouring holding out on the starboard tack until well over to the left of the course then benefited with lifting conditions up the windward mark. First at the windward mark was Greg Wells and David Tulloch, followed by the Simons Patterson and Thompson. These two boats gybed but then lost out to those that continued with the flow of tide gybing late, and the Simons lost 6 places on the first run due to this mistake!

Race 3 was a “rinse and repeat” of race 2 (without the Simons being second around the mark! Just 6th). Errors having been learnt, more boats followed the route to the right down the run, however Jeremy Davy and Martin Hewitt continued with the immediate gybe plan and lost places. The stronger pressure on the right-hand side of the course was the winning component in the choices. Graham Vials and Chris Turner took their third win of the series to ensure they sealed their win of the event. w

Round up

A review of the results shows that Graham Vials and Chris Turner won with consistency. The fact that second placed Ian Pinnell and Ian Cadwallader has only one 3rd place as their highest result shows the impact of consistency of their results. Individual race winners appear as far down as 16th!

Comment has to be made about the high standard of Race Management by Mark Darling and his team. Races were turned around promptly where appropriate, windward marks adjusted during races and breaks in sailing taken when appropriate for the wind to settle. Through it all Mark was patient and resolute in the use of the black flag. Day 1 with 6 consecutive abandoned starts was a very trying experience for all. It was nice to also see a highly visible pin end mark!

Also deserving of mention are Peter Hickson and Neil Shawcross for their excellent photos of the sailing. It was nice to see all levels on the fleet in photo and not just the leaders. Some of these images deserve wall space. There are more images in the UKFFA website gallery and Hayling Islands SmugMug page (https://haylingisc.smugmug.com/Championships/2022/ Flying-Fifteen-National-Championships/) where individual copies may be ordered.

Overall results are on the UKFFA website at https://flying15. org.uk/news/f15-uk-nationals-final-report . The top ten are shown below.

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THE OVINGTON Flying 15

THE OVINGTON Flying 15

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e latest Ovington F15 has taken the win at the 2023

e latest Ovington F15 has taken the win at the 2023

Worlds in Fremantle. Sailed by Ovington’s MD Chris Turner and Graham Vials.

e latest Ovington F15 has taken the win at the 2023 Worlds in Fremantle. Sailed by Ovington’s MD Chris Turner and Graham Vials.

Worlds in Fremantle. Sailed by Ovington’s MD Chris Turner and Graham Vials.

Moving towards the 2025 Worlds in the UK, we are o ering basic t hulls ready for DIY home t out, as well as complete rigged, ready to race boats.

Moving towards the 2025 Worlds in the UK, we are o ering basic t hulls ready for DIY home t out, as well as complete rigged, ready to race boats.

Moving towards the 2025 Worlds in the UK, we are o ering basic t hulls ready for DIY home t out, as well as complete rigged, ready to race boats.

All new boats will incorporate ideas and feedback learnt from Graham Vials and Chris Turner (5 x World Champions) and GBR 4070 for Nathan Batchelor and Richard Rigg (2019 Irish National Champions).

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All new boats will incorporate ideas and feedback learnt from Graham Vials and Chris Turner (5 x World Champions) and GBR 4070 for Nathan Batchelor and Richard Rigg (2019 Irish National Champions).

For more information on pricing and availability, contact : Nathan.Batchelor@ovingtonboats.co.uk

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