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Flying 15 Open 26/27th sept
Nearly twenty Flying 15s came to the open, with club memers and a good number f visitors, it was calm but sunny for much of the racing on Saturda, and the wind swings made Race Officer Stuart Poole's life more difficult.
NCSC Flying Fifteen Open Meeting 26-27 September 2009.
Trophies and prizes
Classic fleet (2700 and below) Club
1st Helm Ian Shaw RYA/Hollowell SC 1st Crew Dave Holyoak
Silver fleet (2701 – 3400)
1st Helm Scott Train Thornton Steward 1st Crew Graham Lamond
2nd Helm Jeremy Arnold NCSC 2nd Crew John Allen
Overall result (main fleet)
1st Helm Scott Train Thornton Steward 1st Crew Graham Lamond
2nd Helm Kevin Hope NCSC 2nd Crew Louise Payne
3rd Helm Andy Goddard Dovestone SC 3rd Crew Mal Hartland
4th HelmWill Gardner NCSC 4th Crew Nikki Theokritoff
Last year’s winners of the new “Old FF Rudder Trophy” reluctantly handed over this treasured trophy from Notts County SC to the winners of the Classic fleet, Ian Shaw (helm) and Dave Holyoak (crew) in 2523. This trophy is presented for the best in the Silver and/or Classic Fleets. We hope that a local crew will win it next year
The overall winners in the main fleet were Scott Train (helm) and Graham Lamond (crew) from Thornton Steward. Second and third spots were hotly contested but Kevin Hope (helm) and Louise Payne (crew) from NCSC narrowly beat Andy Goddard (helm) and Mal Hartland (crew) from Dovestone SC by the smallest of margins – one point – despite two firsts by the latter. Will Gardner (Mr Smooth) and Nikki Theokritoff (crew) from NCSC were rewarded with an overall fourth place.
Despite the strong winds around the Equinox and decent winds from Monday onwards we, as last year, found ourselves with very light winds throughout the week-end. This made very difficult and often “fluky” sailing conditions. Not the best weather for FF sailing but we were delighted to welcome 9 visitors from 7 sailing clubs, who joined 9 from the NCSC fleet. Again, like last year, we had glorious autumn days (shorts and T-shirts for many - including Louise Payne this year).
In the first race a large gap was established between the front-runners and the rest of the fleet, but as they slowed dramatically when the wind died, the rest of the fleet caught up. Locals Will Gardner and Niki Theokritoff in 3655 were sailing well up the fleet but managed to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory”. Meanwhile visitors Andy Goddard and Mal Hartland in 3835 fought it out with Kevin Hope and Louise Payne in 3499 and Scott Train and Graham Lamond in 3362 and held the lead to finish in that order.
Wind speed did not pick up for the second race and a shift near the start made it difficult to make the start line. Initially locals Paul Brown and Peter Baldwin in 3724 were doing well but lost significant ground when, despite following the lead RIB, they sailed the wrong way round a mark. As in race 1, the bulk of the fleet caught up with the leaders when, what wind there was, filled in from behind. This created a big melee at mark 6. Scott Train and Graham Lamond extricated themselves competently from this and went on to win, leading Kevin Hope and Louise Payne (second) and Andy Goddard and Mal Hartland (third)
Kevin and Louise shot ahead of the fleet in the third race when the wind was steadier throughout and gave us a great demonstration of light weather sailing. In their wake came Scott and Graham followed by will and Nikki.
Sunday was another fine autumn day with a bit more wind and in the first race locals Kevin and Louise took and held the lead for some time before being overtaken by visitors who possibly had had more sleep. With the lead position changing several times during the race, Andy and Mal’s skill dominated and they eventually finished ahead of Scott and Graham leaving Kevin and Louise to hold onto third spot.
In the final race, when there a bit more wind, locals John Howett and Mike Dixon (3599) finally got their boat set up right for their “newish” sails and together with Richard Hope and Scott Smith (3642) from Draycote and Scott and Graham pulled away from the fleet. They had a close battle with Scott and Graham for second place but eventually finished in third place boosting their overall position to 8th. That race was convincingly won by Richard and Scott who finished 5th overall just behind Will and Nikki.
Notts County’s reputation for superb hospitality was once again strengthened by the excellent meal prepared lovingly by Pauline and husband Colin. This was enjoyed by all and the “legendary hospitality” was commended during the vote of thanks by the overall winners Scott and Graham.
Can we guarantee better winds next year? Join us then and find out.