Flying Fifteen Open at Llangorse Sailing Club

Incorporating the Classic & Silver Inland Championship

A total of 21 boats with 9 visitors from as far away as Scotland, Humberside & Cornwall arrived at Llangorse Lake looking forward to the first event in the 2013 Southern Traveller Series. The mix of competitors was 4 Open, 6 Silvers & 11 Classics and the format of the racing was 2 Starts with Open & Silvers together followed by the Classics.

The wind was 10 knots gusting 14 mainly from the West, which is from the direction of the Brecon Beacons ensuring an interesting mix of shifts and gusts.

The 1st race was a close contest with the silvers more than holding their own against the open boats. Local boat 3751(Taylors) led from the start to finish with some place changing behind by 3453 (Anderson & Farrant) and local 3691 (McCulloch & Goodall) Result 3751, 3453 & 3691.

A previous member of LSC, (Travis) showed his local knowledge to say in front in silver 3006 followed by 3144 (Card) & 3288(Tatlow). 2880 had a bit of an incident when they found their leeward shroud had come unpinned! No damage, drop all the sails and take a pin from a spinny block - memories of 2 years ago when 2880 lost her mast!

The Classic start was hotly contested but with the local boys 2663 (Morgan) & 2695 (Craddock) leading the way. For the 1st lap the Scottish visitors 516 (a Chippendale in superb condition) from Hellensburg held 3rd place but were unable to keep up the pace. Result was 2663,2695 & 2606 (Tait).

Race 2 followed a similar pattern in the Classics with 1 & 2 the same but with 2582(Fletcher) getting a good 3rd. The Silvers& Open decided it was time to get serious resulting in a general recall - The usual moans were then heard - "That was my best start"! The result in this race was the same culprits getting 1,2,3 but in slightly different order.

For Race 3 the wind eased with some big holes. These holes resulted in 2695 getting a 6th instead of its usual 2. In the Open Fleet 3453 got clean away and won by a considerable distance. Silver went to 3144.

Overnight standing - Open & Silver too close to call with 3 boats having 1st; Classics/ Morgan & Walden in the lead with three "bullets".

The evening was spent in a new venue, The Black Cock. The Club originally booked in 21 for the meal, but ended up with 31, so we took over the pub!

Sunday did not look good - very little wind...

The first race was the annual Simon Dangerfield Memorial Race. The race officer Robert Dangerfield (Simon's cousin) did his very best to set the traditional Windward/Leward course but the wind had other ideas. This fickle wind initially put the hot shots to the back but halfway through the race 2663 & 2695 made a charge from the middle order right to the front with what seemed little or no wind. Trophy winners were David Morgan & Lorina Walden sailing 2663 which, by a very nostalgic coincidence, is the Classic that Simon Dangerfield campaign so successfully with Dave Hemingway as crew.

In the Open Fleet 3691 Richard McCulloch also came from behind to win. He told us afterwards that it was the very first trophy he had ever won!

The Silver trophy went to David & Lynne Travis 3001 the past members of LSC (local knowledge is very useful!). In the Classics with four 1st places 2663 did not need to sail the last race but stayed out to enjoy the very variable Llangorse wind.

The last race started in light airs with everyone staying very close to the start line. The 2 fleets soon merged into one with great close racing between all 21 boats, which meant approaching the windward mark on port was usually very costly!

The finish was moved to the windward mark by the Club House to get a long final beat, and by this time 3453 had again escaped and romped home. In the Classics 2663 finished off with a 1st to make it a clean sweep and 3144 took the silver honours. Just to show the Race Officer was still awake 2695 & 2606 were disqualified - they missed the gate on the beat!

At the prize giving in the Clubhouse the LSC Commodore expressed every ones thanks to Robert Dangerfield the Race Officer and all the travellers, especially those who had come a long distance.

Overall Results:

Open Fleet, 3453 Bill Anderson & Sally Farrant

Classic & Silver Inland Championship

Silver Fleet, 3144 Peter Card & Katharina Turner
Classic Fleet, 2663 David Morgan & Lorina Walden

Simon Dangerfield Memorial

Open Fleet, 3691 Richard MCulloch & Matthew Goodall
Silver Fleet, 3001 David & Lynne Travis
Classic Fleet, 2663 David Morgan & Lorina Walden