The weekend of 9-10 April saw a respectable fleet of 33 Flying 15s turn up at Grafham Water SC what was forecast to be a medium becoming lighter breeze weekend. Reality proved slightly different, with Saturday a cold, shifty and gusty Force 5 plus while things eventually moderated later on Sunday to something nearer the Force 3 expected.

Saturdays three races were demanding, with only 13 boats completing all three races. Racing at the front of the fleet was always close, with six boats mixing it ensuring any mistake was heavily punished. Jeremy Davy/Simon Childs started consistently in the difficult conditions to record 1,3,2 to be equal leaders overnight with Dave Lucas/Steve Carson 4,1,1 who finished the day strongly. Graham Thomas/Mark Longstaff also were right in the hunt scoring 2,2,4 just holding off Andy Palmer/Graham Wadely 5,4,3. Other notable race performances from Pete/Sue Bannister and Simon Paterson/Simon Thompson.

Sunday’s forecast of 12mph winds didn’t materialise, and the aching limbs were put to the test again as the fleet launched in white horse conditions. Two races were held back-to-back Palmer/Wadely winning the first from Philip Owen/Peter McKenna and Davy/Childs. While Thomas/Longstaff took the second from Davy/Childs and the Bannisters. Calculators were out at lunch with three boats still in contention. Davy/Childs started well in the final race to immediately gain control over Thomas and Lucas in the overall battle, Palmer/Wadely sailed away to record their second win of the day, Davy/Childs snook second on the last run from Patterson/Thomson.

This left Davy/Childs as overall winners, following a consistent series, second going to the second day stars Palmer/Wadely. Thomas/Longstaff edging out Lucas/Carson, for whom a black flag in race five proved costly, for third and fourth.

Overal Results

1 3760 Jeremy Davy and Simon Childs Northampton SC 10pts

2 3727 Andy Palmer and Graham Wadely Grafham Water SC 14 pts

3 3676 Graham Thomas and Mark Longstaff Grafham Water SC 15 pts

4 3842 Dave Lucas and Steve Carson Grafham Water SC 18 pts

5 3795 Simon Patterson and Simon Thompson Draycote Water SC 25 pts

Classic 2520 Nick Heath and Ted Legg Grafham Water SC 68 pts