Firstly a correction to last month – the 13 March Liga de Invierno results should read:

GBR 3610       Stormtrooper III            David Miles
ESP 3577         fuego fatuo                   John Walker / Stephen Babbage
ESP 3825         Spanish Fly                    John Leaf / Mark Hart
(previously shown as Dragonfly)

26 March – Liga de Invierno, Pollensa

Eight flying fifteens turned out for this race, run without the company of the cruisers sailing. As a result, we set our own start and course – to Isla Formentor and back, each boat to choose which way round.

With a breeze in the easterly quadrant, we all set off out into the bay. fuego fatuo took an early lead, and elected to go outside the island, as did much of the fleet. Arriving at the eastern point, the wind dropped, and the fleet concertinaed, with Gekko rapidly closing the distance. Dragonfly, Stromtrooper and Extrasensory Perception had chosen the inshore track, and coming through on a beat – with stronger apparent wind – met the leaders halfway.

As the downwind boats came our from behind the island, they saw the others reaching back towards Puerto Pollensa, and well ahead. Final results were unchanged, with the inshore boats taking the first three places.

Afterwards we all adjourned to Cafeteria Imperial for tapas and a few beverages. Great day!

Results:

ESP 3600         Dragonfly                               Michael Beecken
GBR 3610       Stormtrooper III                     David Miles / Mark Hart
ESP 3432         Extrasensory Perception       Michael Clough / John

9 April – Extra race, Pollensa

As this was a non-scheduled race, we had no rib to support us and lay buoys, so following the success of the last race, we all agreed on another “pick your way” race around Isla Formentor.

Eight boats had turned out, including Carlos and Nacho in Swampfire, and the welcome return of Scott and Andy in Ffiel Good. We’d also decided to find some buoys near the harbour entrance, and have a couple of short practice races. Wind was from an unusual direction – the North West – and 12-15 with 18 knot gusts. The two short races were taken by fuego fatuo and Dragonfly.

Same triangle course first, then back through the finish line and out to Formentor. fuego fatuo took the lead after a pin-end port tack start, and led around the short triangle before heading out to Formentor.

The next boats elected on the inshore approach, and dropped their spinnakers, to head for Formentor bay. fuego fatuo arrived clear at the island, and rounded the corner to start their beat. They met Stromtrooper and Ffiel Good coming down the channel under spinnaker at speed.

Arriving at the lighthouse, Stormtrooper was leading, followed by Ffiel Good, with fuego fatuo closing the gap. The start line buoys were difficult to spot, but Stromtrooper arrived first to win the race. Ffiel Good was unable to cross, and had to tack below, allowing fuego fatuo to take them beyond the line. All was not over, as when they tacked to finish, a boat was lifting the buoy and motoring away with it! By consensus we agreed the second and third places, and fuego fatuo then remained on station to provide an outer end for the remaining finishers – Extrasensory Perception, Spanish Fly, Triffid, Dragonfly and Swampfire..

We finished the day with drinks and live music on the beach at La Roca – another great day flying fifteen!

Results:

GBR 3610       Stormtrooper III            David Miles / Mark Hart
ESP 3577         fuego fatuo                   John Walker / Stephen Babbage
GBR 3763       Ffiel Good                     Scott Walker / Andrew Harvey
Coming up

We have a full calendar, if you’d like to join us, visit http://flyingfifteen.mallorcaservice.de, we have a club boat available (and some for sale!), and are always keen to bring new crews into the fleet. Or just turn up at the next event:

4-8 May          Palma Vela                          RCNP, Palma