Flying Fifteen stars arrive in Palma for the Europeans
by Jonny Fullerton of Regatta Services 8 Oct 06:57 BST
7-10 October 2026
Flying Fifteen Europeans in Cowes © John Green
A truly international group of some of the best Flying 15 sailors have arrived in Palma de Mallorca for the Flying Fifteen European Championship to be sailed in the bay of Palma in Spain under host Club de Mar.
31 boats representing United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Brazil, and Australia, in an event that will feature some of the class's top names.
Past Champions
Among the participants is current British reigning European Champions Ian Pinnell and Ian Cadwallader, 'Nellie and Caddy' who will seek to defend the European title they won in 2024 in Morgat, France. Ian Cadwallader won the British Nationals this year this time as helmsman, so comes to this regatta as the man to beat!
Joining the line up is Greg Wells (GBR) another past European Champion back in 2012 and 2014, who is crewing for Andrew Jameson at this regatta, and Charles Apthorp (GBR), who won the European Championship in 2004, sailed at Real Club Nàutic Puerto Pollença in Mallorca. Charles is also a past class World Champion in 2001, a regatta sailed at Durban, South Africa.
The super crews are in town
Dean McAullay, the current Commodore of Flying Fifteen International, is racing in Palma with skipper Philippa Packer representing the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club all the way from West Australia. Dean won the Flying Fifteen World Championship back in 2009 as crew for Grand Alderson.
Hamish Mackay and Andrew Lawson (GBR) from Royal Thames YC won the 2018 European Championship at Lake Garda, Italy and placed 5th at the World Championships held in Perth, Australia in 2023.
Ricky Riggs (GBR) is also a past European Champion as crew for Greg Wells when they won the 2012 and 2014 Europeans.
The Irish are coming
Alan Green is sailing with Caroline Hanniffy and one of the senior Flying 15 legends, John Lavery is sailing with Billy Russel and David Gorman is sailing with Chris Doorly. All three teams represent the National Yacht Club in Dublin and hold numerous Irish Flying 15 Championships between them. There is a strong contingent of seven boats from Ireland which all arrived on top of a huge truck taking two ferry crossings. No doubt some Guinness was downed on the way!
The Samba kings
There are two boats sailed by Brasilian sailors who currently live on the island of Mallorca. Bernado Arndt is sailing with his son Marcos who is a talented young sailor who works on the island. Bernado competed in the 470 Class at the Olympic Games of 1988, 1992 and 2014. He now enjoys sailing with his son at the Real Club Nàutic Puerto Pollença.
Spanish local knowledge
Beware the local knowledge of the Spanish contingent, Spanish Class President, Rafa Juan Benitez is sailing with Juan Casares and counts a J80 Class National Championship amongst his achievements.
Victor Perez & Mark Branagh are regular sailors on the island of Mallorca. Victor has been Spanish National Snipe Class Champion on two occasions. Both these two crews joined the Mallorcan Flying 15 fleet in recent years. There are altogether 8 boats from the Mallorcan club, the Real Club Nàutic Puerto Pollença
A truly family occasion
The regatta is also a chance for families to enjoy sailing together:
- Charles & Charlie Apthorp (GBR)
- Bernardo & Marcus Arndt (BRA)
- Peter & Juliette Kennedy (IRL)
- Niall & Laua Coleman (IRL)
- Ralph & Ivo Hennig (ESP)
- Stephen & Philip Parry (ESP)
Good luck to all competitors and good wishes for a great championship.