The 2003 Flying 15 Championship hosted by Royal Torbay Yacht club attracted a very light entry with only 14 Open boats, 4 Silver Fleet and 5 Classics lower than previous years mainly because of the proximity of the recent Worlds in Ireland.

After a practice race won by Alan Bax the first of the 9-race Championship started in a Force 2-3 with wind initially in the south. Reflecting the shifting conditions the Race Committee had to move the windward mark on each lap. Although race winners and defending Champions Steve Goacher and Phil Evans led from the first mark the positions behind changed considerably as a result of the major wind shifts particularly up the beat – those who went close inshore benefiting from the wind shifting to the north west.

First Silver boat was 2797 Bill Butcher who finished in 11 place in the Open/Silver fleet. In the Classics race which had a separate start five minutes after the main fleet last year’s winner David Hill this time crewed by Maf Smith started his defence with a first place. Second were local members George Rock Evans and Martine McPherson.

Results

1. 3721 Steve Goacher & Phil Evans

2. 3786 Alan Bax & Andrew Weatherspoon

3. 3583 Simon Dangerfield & John Washington

Silver

1. 2797 Bill Butcher & Martin Scobie

2. 3033 Paddy Bettesworth & Tim Edwards

Classics

1. 671 David Hill & Maf Smith

2. 2562 George Rock Evans & Martine McPherson