Allspars Final Fling Dinghy Regatta 2026
by Keith Davies 24 Oct 13:53 BST
17-18 October 2026
Allspars Final Fling Dinghy Regatta 2026 © Nicola Davies
Well, the Final Fling 2026 has been and gone but it was the biggest and best yet! Over the course of the weekend of 17th and 18th October the Royal Western Yacht Club hosted the Allspars Final Fling bringing 86 entries to Plymouth Sound.
This was the largest attendance to date with a mix of dinghies from a Topper through to an F18 and everything in between. The Allspars Final Fling as part of its format hosted a Phantom open, B14 TT, Merlin Silver Tiller as well as a fleet of 2000s and Mirrors.
This year the Phantom fleet had its own start, separate from the Fast and Medium fleets, each of which had around 40 boats. This made starting easier and avoided the congestion of larger combined starts.
Eight B14's from East and West sailed the in this years Final Fling, 4 of those from Starcross YC. This TT event for the class is highly regarded by the class for the quality of sailing and race management.
Nine Mirrors and Tom in his Topper made up the slow handicap fleet.
Saturday was fine and sunny, with a light northerly breeze from the direction of Plymouth. Wind speeds ranged from approximately 10 to 13 knots, but frequent shifts and changes in pressure made the course unpredictable and demanded careful tactical judgement.
The first two races were sailed around inflatable buoys laid by the race committee. Racing among the six Phantoms was close throughout, with places changing on every leg. Ben Dancer, however, established a clear lead by winning every race.
The third race was the Round the Breakwater race, involving all three fleets: Fast, Medium and Phantom, including the Mirror dinghies. This provided a different challenge from the earlier races around inflatable marks, with competitors having to negotiate the breakwater and its surrounding hazards.
In the B14's an impressive 1st from 774, Squirrel helmed by Paul and crewed by the current and previous B14 world championship crew, Lucy. Simon and Nikki in 770 2nd, with 799, Barnsie and Jack 3rd.
774 won race 2 (there is a pattern emerging here) with 799 2nd, and 789, Crispy & Gi 3rd. 799 won the round the breakwater race with 774 and 770 finishing close behind.
With the tide low, several large stone blocks were visible as the fleet passed close to both ends of the breakwater and along its seaward side. Phantom 1164, sailed by Adam Littlejohn a local, was the only Phantom to hit a rock. Fortunately, there was no major damage and Adam continued racing.
The race also produced an incident in the Medium fleet, where a Merlin's fixed rudder broke after hitting a rock. The Merlin had to beat back to the Royal Western Yacht Club rudderless, making the return journey particularly difficult, but managed to finish.
Sunday was slightly cloudier, with stronger winds of approximately 12 to 18 knots that built steadily throughout the day. The conditions provided a more physical test, requiring precise boat handling, balance and adaptability.
The first two races were again sailed around inflatable buoys laid by the race committee. For the final race, competitors tackled a run-and-beat course using fixed marks in Plymouth Sound, finishing back at the Royal Western Yacht Club.
This final course provided a fitting conclusion to the weekend, bringing the fleet back towards the club after another demanding day on the water.
In the B14s on Sunday, Race 4 won by 789 followed by 774 and 799, 774 won R5, with 788, Tony and Jamie in 2nd and 799 third.
The sixth and final race of the day was a peachy long-distance race inside the breakwater. Great beats and rapid downhills made for close and exciting racing. 799 2st, 774, 2nd and 789 3rd
Special mention to Steve and Amir in 755 who got just about every shift right in the three rounds and very nearly took 3rd place.
Overall results, 774 7 points, 799, 10 and 789 15. Lucy and Paul were in a class of their own and look like the team to beat in 2027!
There were numerous capsizes across the fleets including one Phantom sailor falling out of the back of his boat, highlighting the challenging conditions as the breeze strengthened.
Together, the six races provided a thorough test of all-round sailing ability. Saturday required careful reading of a fickle breeze, while Sunday demanded control and speed in strengthening winds.
Ben Dancer produced a dominant performance, winning every race and finishing well clear of the rest of the fleet. His clean sweep was particularly impressive given the contrasting conditions and variety of courses sailed over the weekend.
Having travelled approximately 300 miles to compete, Ben's commitment to supporting the Phantom Open Meeting was rewarded with an outstanding series and a thoroughly deserved overall victory.
In the slow handicap class with the Mirrors and Topper it was great to see this fleet of young smiling sailors who were rewarded at the prize-giving with a vast array of gifts provided by the sponsors.
"The Allspars Final Fling is an outstanding event and bringing together approximately 85 entries and their crews was is considerable undertaking, yet the organisation, racing format and atmosphere made it a highly successful weekend. The event team should be congratulated on the improvements and encouraged to continue their excellent work." The Phantom Class
"Race management was again excellent, weather gods delivered and racing was excellent. The B14's are looking forward to FF27!!"
A massive thank you to All Competitors who made their way to Plymouth for the Allspars Final Fling:
- David and Kathryn and the Race Management and Mark laying teams
- Malcolm Wood for managing the safety in what turns out to be his last event
- Hooe Point Sailing Club and Plym Yacht Club for providing volunteers and safety boats
- University of Plymouth Yacht Club for their army of student volunteers helping in the safety boats and on the slipway
- Ocean City Tours www.oceancitytours.co.uk for the use of their support rib
- Allspars for their ongoing commitment to sponsorship of this regatta
- MDL and the QAB marina staff for their assistance in preparing the boat yard and slipway and berthing for the safety and mark laying boats
Dates for 2027 are 9-10 October.