Flying Fifteen European Championship 2026 in Palma - Days 1 & 2
by Jonny Fullerton of Regatta Services 9 Oct 09:31 BST
7-10 October 2026
Race Day 1 - Wednesday
The first day of the Flying 15 European Championship was challenging for everybody. A yellow weather warning with a forecast for the day of two large thunderstorms to hit Palma from mid morning to early afternoon.
With rain still pouring at 15.00 hrs the PRO Ines Cabrer had no choice but to cancel racing for the day. So there followed a lot of boat bimbling, lots of eating and drinking and taking advantage of the wonderful facilities of the host club, Club de Mar.
Race Day 2 - Thursday
Day two, Thursday was a different story. A bright morning and no clouds with a forecast of an increasing wind from a slightly unusual direction coming off the land.
At the briefing PRO Ines Cabrer announced her intention to race 3 races back to back. The fleet were about to start on time at 1200 noon when a late shift to 340 degrees forced a brief postponement. However the course was quickly reset and the first race of the day was a two lap windward-leeward course in a building breeze from 12 knots, ending in 15 knots+.
Race 1 of the day
Local sailor Victor Perez Campos and crew Mark Branagh (ESP) were quick off the pin end of the line and where able to port tack the majority of the fleet. They held the lead for the first lap of the course but a blown spinnaker at the leeward gate caused them to loose places.
Andy Tunnicliffe & Ricki Riggs (GBR) from Bassenthwaite SC took the lead and held it throughout the second lap to take the first race gun from Chris Waples and Simon Weatherall (GBR). Another British team representing Hayling Island SC, the two Charlies, Charles & Charlie Apthorp jnr made up places to finish third. Victor Perez Campos and Mark Branagh (ESP) managed to finish fourth despite breakages. Racing was compact in the middle of the fleet with a lot of private battles.
Race 2
Race two of the day quickly followed on the same course axis of 340 degrees and another two lap windward / leeward course. The breeze became a lot more steady but was increasing gradually to 16 - 18 knots.
Again the fleet got away cleanly except for one unfortunate crew, that of Bernado and Marcus Arndt from Brasil who were judged to be UFD and out of the race. The fleet split sides upwind but came together by the windward mark.
Another crew who had to sit out the race was Philippa Packer & Dean McAullay from Australia. They suffered a halyard failure on the start line.
The flying Scotsmen, Hamish Mckay and Andrew Lawson from Royal Thames YC appeared to choose the right lane upwind to lead lap one ahead of Andy Jameson & Greg Wells (GBR) from Hayling Island SC and Andy Tunnicliffe and Ricki Riggs (GBR). Despite close racing this is the way they finished. Chris Waples and Simon Weatherall finished in the mix and the first boat from Spain, Victor Perez Campos and Mark Branagh finished in sixth.
Race 3
At the start of race 3 of the day the fleet split tacks upwind as the pressure increased with gusts up to 23 knots recorded. The Brasilian crew of Bernado & Marcus Arndt led around the first lap with Andrew Jameson and Greg Wells and the other British crew Andy Tunnicliffe & Ricki Riggs in hot pursuit.
However the current European Champions, Ian Pinnell & Ian Cadwallader (GBR) were fast moving through the leading boats to take the lead on the final downwind
and subsequently to record their first race win of the regatta. Andrew Jameson & Greg Wells recorded their 2nd second of the day and Andy Tunnicliffe & Ricki Riggs counting a 1,3,3 for the day to take an early lead in the regatta.
After the first full day or racing the British boats dominate the top of the table with three different race winners but tomorrow is another day with an advance forecast of light winds.
Results: www.cyberaltura.com/files/resultados/overall_ff.html