Please select your home edition
Edition
Ocean Safety 2023 - New Identity - LEADERBOARD

Parkstone Yacht Club Flying Fifteen Autumn Series - Race 6

by Ben Scroggie 9 Dec 2019 15:14 GMT 7 December 2019

Fifteen boats took to the water into a chilly WSW 20+ knot breeze that slowly reduced over the race and was somewhat shifty at times!

Thanks, must go to Richard Whitworth for aiding the average fleet age, by taking Oliver Scroggie (11yrs & 32 kgs) out for a spin and although they ended up retiring due to a cold crew, they did very well all the same to start in 21 knots!

Race Officer Fi Linford set a top triangle tour taking in Oyster, Rebbecks, Balls Lake, Morris Lane, Quay Sails & Northshore Homes to line with a planned further two loops back to Quay Sails and Northshore. Unlike previous weeks, it appears all navigated the correct course.

The fleet got away first time with a split quickly developing with a Brownsea Group and those trying to avoid the ebb tide, taking a Quay route. Bob Alexander/Huw Willets quickly established a lead on the Brownsea side (can't mention the Quay group as to what happened on that side of the course - until later), leading to the Wych channel. Patrick Keats/Jake Grant tacked well before the channel to take a westerly course, followed by Graham & Ben Scroggie. On the subsequent cross tacks later, the boats that went closer to the island seem to faulter, allowing Patrick/Grant to take the lead.

Back to the Quay Group. On the way West to Oyster, I mentioned to Dad that the Quay Group had started to "pop out". The only boat I could see was David Tabb/Dave Coward in 4052 who were looking fairly good on a port lift around the ferry terminal. To be honest at the mark we were a bit busy so lost track, but on asking Dave in the bar "what happened to you" he quoted, "when we tacked at the Quay we read 315 however ended up sailing on 262 near Oyster". Enough said!!

The broad reach to Rebbecks was fairly uneventful with a split of the fleet up the next beat to Balls Lake. Patrick/Jake developed their lead heading back to the finish line for the first time, however were followed in hot pursuit by Crispin/Steve, Bob Huw & Graham/Ben. Lots of close racing ensued with the term "joined by elastic bands" coming to mind. Pete and Jo Allam made a late charge to close considerably on the leading four, however were to finish in 5th with Bob/Huw 4th after a misjudged gybe down the last run where Graham/Ben got through to 3rd to finish.

The battle for 1st & 2nd raged on with Patrick/Jake leading all the way to the last 10m, where Crispin/Steve pounced on the line bias to swipe victory.

It's not over until it's over...

Race 6 Results: (top four)

1st 3922 Crispin Reed Wilson & Steve Brown
2nd 3821 Patrick Keats & Jake Grant
3rd 4020 Graham Scroggie & Ben Scroggie
4th 3537 Bob Alexander & Huw Willets

Related Articles

Flying Fifteen Southern Travellers at Middle Nene
The weather forecast of a lively weekend was spot-on A strong fleet of 16 boats (six visitors, ten local) arrived at the start line for the traditional Flying 15 Open Meeting at Middle Nene SC, which was held on 14th/15th June as part of the Southern Traveller Series. Posted on 18 Jun
Flying Fifteen Classic and Silver Championships
A weekend of close racing and camaraderie in the Peak District Classic and Silver division Flying Fifteens enjoyed a weekend of close racing and camaraderie in the glorious surroundings of this Peak District location. Posted on 11 Jun
Flying Fifteen Open at Aldeburgh
13 boats entered Aldeburgh's annual open meeting, including 4 visitors The open is one of three key events hosted every year, alongside our Spring Regatta and August Regatta, all of which welcome travellers for racing on this beautiful stretch of river. Posted on 11 Jun
Save the Date - Cowes Classics Regatta 2026
The dates now confirmed after a highly successful 2025 event As the curtain comes down on what has been a remarkable Cowes Classics Week 2025, thoughts at the Royal London Yacht Club and the Royal Thames Yacht Club turn towards the hosting of Cowes Classics Regatta 2026 with the dates now confirmed. Posted on 5 Jun
Cowes Classics Regatta 2025 overall
Building breeze and sea state create a spectacular conclusion Ahead of an oncoming, breeze-filled front from the west, the superb race management teams, under the watchful eye of Principal Race Officer Tim Hancock, elected to send all the fleets out early on the concluding day of Cowes Classics Regatta 2025. Posted on 1 Jun
Cowes Classics Regatta 2025 Day 2
Fog lifts on the Solent to reveal the front-runner A dense, wispy fog sat over the Solent this morning, hampering visibility and causing Cowes Classics Regatta Principal Race Officer, Tim Hancock, to call a short delay shoreside to let the sun burn through and leave a simply stunning day for all. Posted on 31 May
Cowes Classics Regatta 2025 Day 1
Perfect Solent Conditions The Solent shimmered and glistened under early summer sunshine and with a brisk building Force 3-4 westerly wind over tide initially before the turn mid-afternoon, the racing areas of Hill Head and Osborne Bay offered near-perfect conditions. Posted on 31 May
Poole Week Revitalised For 2025
New race teams and new courses for the summer's big event How do you make a great sailing week even better, without losing the elements that have always made it a great sailing week? Posted on 24 May
Enter now for Chichester Harbour Race Week
Last year nearly 600 competitors in 383 boats attended Book your place at the biggest dinghy and keelboat regatta in the UK! With the website open, you can now reserve your place in this year's 'must attend' event. Starting on Monday 11th August, ending on 15th. Posted on 24 May
Cowes Classics Regatta countdown is on
A week away, and late entries are coming in thick and fast across all divisions We are just one week away now from the start of the Royal London Yacht Club's flagship event - the Cowes Classics Regatta 2025 - and as ever, late entries are coming thick and fast across all the divisions. Posted on 23 May