Flying Fifteens start 70th Anniversary celebrations at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show

Flying Fifteen sailing at the 2016 UK Nationals in Hayling Bay © Peter Hickson

To kick start our 70th Anniversary year on an even keel, we call upon all club members who sail an International Flying Fifteen, or all keelboat sailors, to join us at RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show 4th & 5th March.

You will discover how UK Flying Fifteen Association has built a reputation for 'The most fun you can have with a keel on!'

We are indebted to many Flying Fifteen members, especially the support of the Solent Fleet from Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, to be able to announce that after many years Coweslip shall be on our Stand C2.

The Flying Fifteen was designed & built by Uffa Fox. Coweslip was first presented to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh who sailed it for many years. It was launched at Uffa's yard 6 Jun 1949. Coweslip will be taking pride of place alongside GBR4047, an Ovington built boat owned by Ian Pinnell from Pinnell & Bax. Ian is a new comer to our fleet GBR4047 will be show casing the new Sail Plan.

• Come and meet the team who made this happen and hear their stories and snippets.
• See footage of the past 7 decades, right up to hearing their updates and progress on the Southern Area Championship plans this July marking the anniversary celebrations.
• Gain insights from one of our boat services experts, Phil Evans from Royal Windermere Yacht Club, a past World champion crew who will share his secrets and tips of the best way to fit out a boat on Saturday.
• Discover where you can sail a Flying Fifteen to explore the depth of different series open to all levels of sailors, from getting racing up to joining the start line at the next National Championship at Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Falmouth, 27th – 30th September.

We plan to host a live update from the new World Champions team from Napier SC, New Zealand on Sunday 5th March, where we have a strong GBR team competing. Fingers crossed!

We have a whole host of sailors merging from reservoirs, estuaries, lochs, harbours and the sea, coming from across the UK to help man the stand. Join us and discover the truth of what Greg Wells, our past Commodore of FFI, said on what makes our class so special? "We are like a family."

Stand managers Sue Bannister and Keith Jamieson are looking forward welcoming you to our stand.

With thanks to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and Royal Collection Trust for the loan of Coweslip.