Flying Fifteen Open at Grafham Water Sailing Club

Grafham Water Flying Fifteen Open © Brian Appleyard

Despite the heavy rain, spirits remained high as competitors gathered in the club's wet bar — a fitting location given the weather! With plenty of banter and optimism in the air, they chatted about the slim chances of racing on Saturday.

The anemometer barely crept past 1 knot all morning, and after taking stock of the group's consensus, Race Officer Peter Curtis made the smart call to cancel racing just before 1pm — a wise and thoughtful decision that was appreciated by all.

Sunday was a different story with a decent 10-15 knots forecast steady all day from the SSE.

Thanks to our new Coxswain and tractor driver the whole fleet was launched in good time, only to find a postponement flag flying. This was due to Sunday's RO John Aston having to deal with an un-forecasted switch in wind direction by at least 40DEG to the SE.

The race team did a great job to reset the course and R1 got under way without further delay.

Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett in 3760 managed to make the windward mark first ahead of Jeremy Arnold and Richard Hope in4091 then Dave and Harry Lucas in 4135. There was some good close racing all through the fleet, and after a few place changes things ended up with 3760 ahead, followed by 4135 and 4091.

Race 2 got away cleanly, with plenty of holes up- wind and down-wind for the unwary.

Once again 3760 got a bit of a jump on the fleet and made the windward mark first with 4135 in hot pursuit. Again close racing through the fleet, this time John Hanson and Helen Selden in 4094 taking 3rd spot.

With no discard for the series, Race 3 would be significant, and although Jeremy and Martin got away, there was plenty of place changing in the fleet.

Eventually it was 4135 taking second and after some great racing between 3849 (Ewan and Stan Birkin-Walls) and Simon Kneller / Ashley Painter 4113, it was the father and son team of Ewan and Stan taking 3rd right on the line.

A smaller turn-out this year, but some really, fun close racing for the whole fleet. We now have the FF worlds in Weymouth in August and return to Grafham next year in April for the Inland Championships.

Congratulations to worthy winners, Jeremy and Martin.

Overall Results: