The forecast of wet and windy conditions for Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club’s meeting of Flying Fifteens on the Saturday 16 June did not materialise, but instead started in a light north-westerly breeze and an overcast sky.

The first race, on the Olympic-type course, Brett and Ben Dingwall (3603) led at the windward mark and retained the lead to the finish. Simon Patterson and Simon Thompson (Draycote Water SC – 3693) finished this race in second position with Pete Henney and Andrew Harris (Chew – 3563) finishing third. The second race got under way after a short postponement by the race officer during which a large black mass of cloud went over head turning the wind through 180 degrees and back. Again the Dingwalls completed this race in first place. P. Henney and A. Harris finished in second, with S. Patterson and S. Thompson in third.

Sunday’s two races were sailed again in a north-westerly shifting wind which had gradually increased overnight to a Force 3. Race three saw the Dingwalls gaining yet another win gaining them first overall, this now left the rest of the fleet to fight for the remaining positions. Simon Dangerfield and Alan Rorke (Chew – 3583) sailed to a second place with John and Anita Washington (Rutland – 3429) finishing third.

Race four recorded yet another win for the Dingwalls, but with second and third places still open for contention, David Baker and Mike Abrahams (Chew – 3623) sailed into and held second position, but S. Paterson and S. Thompson finished third to gain second place overall just pipping P. Henney and A. Harris into fourth position pushing them into third overall.

Overall Results

1st 3603, Brett and Ben Dingwall

2nd – 3693, S. Patterson and S. Thompson

3rd 3563, P. Henney and A. Harris