The final race of the autumn series was sailed on the second Saturday of December, for both flying fifteens and cruisers. The course was to be:

Salida: Punta Avançada
Boya 1: buoy off sail & surf
Boya 2: Puerto Cocodrilo
Llegada: buoy off sail&surf

When we arrived for sailing the wind was northerly gusting 30 knots, really grey and grim. As the wind was due to drop in early afternoon the committee delayed the start for an hour, and then later another hour because it was still too windy. Half an hour before the eventual start, the sun came out and all of a sudden it was a lovely day for sailing, albeit breezy for the cruisers.

There were seven boats on the flying fifteen start, with a general recall as emotions were high in the gusty conditions. ffinally got to the top mark first, a boat length ahead of Flying High with the rest of the fleet close behind. ffinally gybed over and was all alone on the port gybe with the rest of the fleet opting to stay on starboard.

This eventually turned out well as a long powerful gust stretched ffinally’s planing lead to over a hundred metres. But something strange happened when ffinally gybed, ending up with the spinnaker at half hoist but it would not go up or down. Crew out onto the slippery foredeck and the long process of unknotting which somehow also included the necessity of untying the spinnaker sheets….

Meanwhile the fleet caught up and ffinally rounded the bottom mark in fourth place; the beat was going to be long in these conditions – around 2 miles, with the wind still gusting 20 knots. ffinally and Flying High went almost to the shore on starboard and it was a close call to the finish, with Flying High getting the gun.

A great day’s sailing and well done to the patient committee – Joan, the officer of the day. This result gave ffinally the points to take the series, second was Wight Flyer and third Dragonfly. Attractive paintings made by a local children’s care centre were the very special prizes. 

1	ESP 3592	Flying High	Vincent Harris / Patrick Harris	1
1	ESP 4014	ffinally	John Walker / Juan Carlos	2
2	GBR 3382	Martini	Rafa Benitez / Pilar Casares	3

Thanks to John Walker for the write up, I wasn’t able to be there.

January 2 – New Year’s jaunt – Pollença

We lowered Dragonfly into the water, and glided away from the harbour. Soon we were out in the bay, heading for Avançada. The wind was on the bow, and we sailed into the light breeze, tacking to follow each little change. We stayed ahead, and not long after we were close to Formentor.

We had a tough battle to get around but held our position. Turning down the narrow channel, we soon reached the finish – clear ahead with nobody in sight behind.

After a short break to take in the beautiful view, we re-started for the downwind sail back home.  Spinnaker up, each zephyr took us closer to home, sailing towards the sun as it dropped on the horizon. Arriving at the finish, there were no others close.

A wonderful afternoon, in bright sun, and ideal force 2-4 winds all the way. We were the

only boat on the water, but even without competitors we started the New Year as winners.

Happy Sailing in 2021!

Michael Beecken

If you’re interested in a trial sail, just follow the link: http://tiny.cc/TrialaFlying15, we’d love to see you! Or come see us, we’re at: ///categorically.allergies.abdomens – really!

Our 2020 calendar is posted on our website http://flyingfifteen.mallorcaservice.de
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By Stephen Babbage