Flying Fifteen End-of-Season Sprint at Draycote Water - Preview
by Jeremy Davy 11 Oct 2012 08:08 BST
20 October 2012
Multiple world champion Steve Goacher will compete at the Draycote Flying Fifteen Sprint Event © Glenda Leslie
Sponsored by Mercure Hotels
The Flying Fifteen fleet is preparing for the inaugural end-of-season "Sprint" event to be held on Saturday 20th October 2012 at Draycote Water Sailing Club.
The one-day event represents a change in racing format for the FF class with shorter 30-40 minute races and no pre-determined number of races - the PRO will start as many races as possible between Midday and 5pm. To maximise overtaking opportunities, races will be on a windward/leeward course with a leeward gate.
Event sponsor, Mercure Hotels, have generously donated some fantastic prizes, including a selection of overnight stays at a number of their premier hotels. Racing will be filmed by FF media partner, Pictures 55, with live pictures to be streamed into the clubhouse so spectators can follow the action as it unfolds.
The Draycote Sprint has certainly captured the imagination of the FF fleet with the entry list looking like a "who's who" of FF sailing! Amongst the growing list of confirmed entries are:
- 2012 National Champions, Simon Kneller and Dave Lucas
- 2012 European Champion, Greg Wells who will be reunited with multi-class championship winning crew, Mark Darling
- Ex-World Champion, Charles Apthorpe
- Class legends, Steve Goacher and Phil Evans, a partnership that has won everything more times than anyone can remember!
Jeremy Davy caught up with Simon Kneller, Greg Wells and Steve Goacher to ask them about the Draycote Sprint, the new racing format and FF sailing in general.
JD: You were all very early to confirm your entries for the Sprint. What is it that particularly excites you about this new event?
GW: The strength and enjoyment of the FF is the closeness of the racing and the adrenaline that you get from this. This format will make the racing even closer and teams will be faced with having to make many spontaneous decisions, the result of which will be critical to success. Myself and Mark [Darling] are really looking forward to the challenge.
SG: I like the idea of doing lots of short, sharp, busy races to test starting, boat handling and tactical awareness.
SK: The upwind/downwind racing with a downwind gate provides more opportunities to overtake, which is great... unless we are in the lead! Seriously though, in non-planing conditions, upwind/downwind provides much better racing – this is what we should be doing at all major events.
JD: How will you change your approach to this event compared to your normal approach?
GW: I'm normally quite conservative with my approach but I think this event may reward those who take risks.
SG: The start, first beat and a clean approach to the weather mark will be key and we will focus on getting those things right.
JD: Steve has identified some of the keys to success but what else do you see as critical if you're going to succeed in this new format?
GW: Steve's right, a good start will be essential, but another key to success will be good boat handling and keeping the boat moving fast, including slick mark rounding, acceleration, good spinnaker hoists and gybes etc.
SK: Downwind speed will be important, including keeping clear wind, sailing deep but with speed. Tactics at the gate will play a major part.
JD: So, if I've understood you all correctly, what I need to do is start well, sail a good first beat, negotiate a clean rounding at the first mark, sail fast downwind and get my tactics right at the leeward gate... sounds a doddle! So who do you see as your main competition and why?
GW: Goacher and Evans set the standard. They are never slow! You have to be at the top of your game to beat Steve and Phil in any format. New National champions Simon and Dave [Lucas] are good all-round sailors but particularly strong on lakes and reservoirs and in shifty conditions. Both these teams have sailed together for years. To make a Fifteen tick in this format will be down to excellent co-ordination between helm and crew.
SK: Couldn't agree more – Steve and Phil are a threat at all events! Greg, as newly crowned European Champ, is going exceptionally well and Dave McKee is someone who is extremely fast at inland venues. The format will make it very open though, so who knows!
JD: Well guys, thanks for sharing your thoughts ahead of the Sprint. See you all on the start line!