Flying Fifteen Northern Championship at Royal Windermere Yacht Club

Flying Fifteen Northerns at Windermere © Lakes Weather Pictures / www.lakesweatherpictures.co.uk

Powered by Slam, Supported by Goacher Sails, Waples Wines & Lakes Weather Pictures

Over the weekend of 30th and 31st May 23 Flying Fifteen crews assembled at Royal Windermere Yacht Club to compete for the Flying Fifteen Northern area Championship, powered by Slam. The event was run concurrently with the Waples Wines Northern Travellers series so points would be awarded for this and the UK ranking series.

As a blustery weekend was forecast, the worst of the weather being predicted for Sunday, Steve Bewsher the PRO was keen to get the programmed 3 races in for the Saturday. With the wind from the south west Steve took the fleet into the south end of the lake and set a windward leeward course to get the meeting underway.

The highly competitive but well behaved fleet were away first time with a fair split between left and right sides of the beat. However with the capricious wind under the Cunsey shore at the windward mark all was not entirely strait forward, a theme that was set for the day. In this first race local knowledge eventually appeared to pay some dividend and this four lap race was won by Nigel and Gavin Tullett in 3816 followed by Phil Snewin and Amanda Wilson in 4017 and Justin Waples with Howard Green (from RCYC) in 4033.

As the wind had shifted more to the South Steve set an old style Olympic course and visitors took to the fore with David McKee and Andy Weatherspoon in 4005 (Dovestone) a very convincing first followed by Peter Bannister and Chris Robinson 3736 (Hayling) with Neil Currie and Rory Yardley 3520 (Bassenthwaite) in third, after another hard fought 4 lap race.

A quick turn around by a very slick RWYC race team got race 3 underway with plenty of time for another 4 lap old style Olympic course. Again the shifty breeze saw much place changing throughout the race with Andy McKee (son of David) and Richard Jones 4002 taking the bullet from dad and Andy W in 4005 with Peter & Chris third in 3736. This left David McKee and Andy Weatherspoon handily placed leaders as the fleet returned to the clubhouse to enjoy the free beer for helm and crew supplied by Goacher Sails (for that extra lift!).

Day two dawned with a building breeze and a gale forecast for the late evening, with a wind direction something in the region of North Westerly Steve took the fleet north to Miller Ground and set a windward leeward course to the Belle Grange shore.

In the building breeze Andy McKee and Richard Jones 4002 took a convincing bullet from Neil Currie and Rory Yardley with Justin Waples in third. Although the wind was forecast to build much more the fleet saw the conditions abate slightly and the sun come out for race five; this was now set to be a needle match between father and son for the title.

In the end Andy & Richard triumphed with yet another bullet from the Tullets with Justin and Howard again in third place.

With the gusty wind steadily building towards what was forecast the fleet returned to the clubhouse for a quick pack up and prize giving. Thanks to all for attending and Royal Windermere for putting on a great event, getting all the races in of a good length on time; a very enjoyable and relaxed weekends sailing.

Quote of the weekend: "The beats must have been even as they were equally difficult either side!" P. Bannister (HISC)

With thanks to Slam for the prizes for the Northern Championship, Waples Wines for the series prizes, Goacher Sails for the beer and Lakes Weather Pictures for the photography, photos from the event can be ordered by following the link.

Overall Results: