Flying Fifteen World Championsips

For various reasons, the Spanish team was reduced to only 2 boats – Stormtrouper IV and team fuego fatuo (sailing Chris Doorley and Alan Green’s boat). The winds had been very strong for the pre-Worlds, with gusts double the wind strength on many days. This trend continued for much of the Worlds.

After measuring their sails, team fuego set out for a test sail on the Thursday. Well protected in drysuits, new buoyancy aids and full-finger gloves, they still had a hard time of the conditions. Stephen managed to swallow half the Irish Sea, and later that evening succumbed to what appeared to be pneumonia.

Fortunately, John managed to find a stand-in crew for the first few days of the regatta, and had some high point, rounding the top mark in tenth in one race. However, the conditions generally were too different from our normal environment and results for both team boats were in the fifties. Stephen tried sailing on the Tuesday, but still had restricted air capacity, and wasn’t effective, so fuego regrettably withdrew from the series. In the end, Stormtrouper achieved a 54, whilst five DNC put team fuego in 68.

Nevertheless, all enjoyed the series and we learnt a lot – not least more practice in windier conditions is needed. Next stop, France for the Europeans in May!

21 September – Trofeo Mortix

The Trofeo Mortix was sailed alongside the RCNPP cruiser fleet. The flying fifteens were to have the second start in the lightish easterly wind. fuego fatuo apotted the huge line bias, and started at the pin, clear ahead of the fleet. She led all the way round, passing the tail enders of the cruiser fleet before the top mark. Ffiel good gave chase, but could catch enough to pass, finishing second ahead of Wight Flyer.

In the second race, more of the fleet started at the pin end, and the two winners of the previous race had a great fight all the way round, finishing in the opposite order this time. Hugh and Chris took third in ESP. The results were unusual, the fickle winds meaning that three pairs of boats sharing reciprocal results fuego and ffiel good (1-2, 2-1) Wight Flyer and ESP (3-6, 6-3) and ffugue and Dragonfly (5-7, 7-5).

Ffiel good won the day on countback, fuego second and Teresa and Alan third with two fourths.

5 October – Trofeo Australia

As well as being a freestanding regatta, the Australia is also a last practice before our Campeonato de Baleares. So we decided to run as many  short races as possible to have many starts.

The wind helped us out with a force 3-4, exactly what we needed. Hugh Wilson was suffering from a back issue, and couldn’t sail, so offered to be OOD. This worked well, with him assisting Gertrud – our blind electronic start device – in seeing who was over the line.

James and Milan were unbeatable, taking first in all four races, whilst Steve and Philip Parry only missed second place in the third race. Dragonfly completed the top trio, with two third and two fourth. David and Corrine didn’t sail the last race, giving them fourth overall, whilst Francisco and Jaime are getting to grips with Triffid and starting to push the fleet.

The Balearic Championships (our nationals) take place on 18-20 October – full report next month.

Next up        

Our 2019 calendar is on our website http://flyingfifteen.mallorcaservice.de
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