UKGLOBAL Flying Fifteen UK Nationals at the Royal Northern & Clyde YC

UKGLOBAL Flying Fifteen Nationals on the Clyde © Neill Ross

UKGLOBAL Flying Fifteen Nationals on the Clyde © Neill Ross

35 boats competed in the UKGlobal Flying Fifteen UK Nationals hosted by the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club from 12th to 15th July on the Clyde.

Straight away, competition was hot with current World Champions, Graham Vials and Chris Turner, leading the way in the first race. They were not to have it all their own way though, and at the end of the first day although they topped the leader board they shared the same points tally as Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado. Steve Goacher and Tim Harper were also in the mix with a bullet in the3rd race.

Unfortunately, day 2 was a disappointment with no wind whatsoever, no racing was possible. We were also due a visit from HRH the Princess Royal but technical problems with aircraft meant that too was off the menu.

So to Tuesday, and with an extra race squeezed in to make up for the previous day, 3 races were held in excellent conditions. Charles Apthorp and Alan Green led the way in the first race but two seconds was sufficient for Lovering and Alvarado to retain top spot, Vials and Turner having headed home to fulfil other commitments. David McKee and Andy Weatherspoon had also obviously found form and a string of solid results were topped off with a 1st in the last race of the day.

Only one race had been scheduled for the last day to make for an early dart home for those with a long distance to travel. The decision was made, however, to make the most of the superb conditions and run two races to complete the full series. It was to prove Goacher/Harper's day with two bullets but a 2nd in the first race was enough to secure top spot for Lovering/Alvarado just one point ahead of Goacher/Harper. 3rd and 4th places were also separated by just one point with Apthorp/Green just sneaking it to take 3rd Overall.

In the Classic Fleet the father son duo of Alasdair Ireland and Alasdair Ireland Jr secured top spot with the aid of a very creditable 9th overall in the penultimate race.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Flying Fifteen nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here