77 boats from 4 continents are entered, with overseas entries travelling from as far away as South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, New Zealand and all over Australia to compete at the 2023 Flying Fifteen World Championship (March 9 - 25) to be sailed at Fremantle in West Australia.

Containers of boats have arrived from the UK, New Zealand and the East Coast of Australia.

As Afloat reported earlier, Flying Fifteens have travelled from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, the majority of those taking the two-three day trip across the Nullabor Plain to get to WA.

A number of former World Champions are listed in the line-up. On paper, one of the strongest crews competing comes from Graham Vials and Chris Turner sailing (GBR 4071 - Floaty McFloat Face), representing Derwent Reservoir SC/Lyme Regis SC, respectively.

Vials and Turner are four-time world champions in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2019 and UK F15 champions in 2014 and again at the last two UK Nationals held in 2019 and 2021. Like many competitors, though, they have had limited big regatta experience over the last couple of years due to regatta cancellations caused by the global pandemic.

Graham Vials and Chris Turner sailing (GBR 4071 - Floaty McFloat Face), representing Derwent Reservoir SC/Lyme Regis SC Photo: Afloat

Vials explains: “Chris and I sailed the UK Nationals in the UK in the summer last year, which we were lucky enough to win shortly after Chris had recovered from knee surgery. In our usual style, we haven’t done anything since then, so we will be looking to blow
the cobwebs away with the pre-worlds regatta and get some time on the water before the worlds. I haven’t sailed at Fremantle before; I have done lots on the East coast but never ventured West, so really looking forward to it”

Turner of Ovington Boats says, “This is my third trip to Perth; the first time was as a coach at the ISAF World Championships, the other times on business. I have been sailing the OK outside of the F15, but mainly rehabilitating from knee surgery; April last year was my third op”

So both crew members come into this regatta a little undercooked, but how much will a record 5th world title drive them to succeed?

Another former F15 World Champion in 2005 and former Australian National Champion is Nick Jerwood representing South of Perth YC/Fremantle SC, sailing (AUS 4015 - Best Foot Forward). Nick has teamed up with local WA sailmaker Brad Sheridan for the regatta.

Nick Jerwood and Brad Sheridan will compete at the 2023 Flying Fifteen World Championship Photo: Johnny Fullerton

“Brad and I teamed up for the Fremantle Worlds soon after Janet retired from F15 sailing due to back problems. We had some initial success at the 2019 WA States with a win in Esperance and have been working on improvements for the Worlds ever since. Brad is a very talented sailmaker and owner of Aus Sails, so our partnership has brought with it the opportunity to build and optimise our own sails, which I have found very exciting and rewarding”

Grant Alderson has teamed up with Luke Paterson sailing (AUS 3933 - El Toro), representing the host organising club, the Royal Freshwater Bay YC.

Grant won the 2009 World Championship, crewed by club colleague Dean McAullay. Grant spends most of his time now as a top Australian coach and boat rigger but knows the WA waters well.

“I am very much looking forward to sailing in another Flying 15 World Championship. My last was back in 2013, so a significant absence! Having a World Championship in your own backyard was to good to ignore. A quick makeover of (AUS3933) and we are ready to tackle the waters off Fremantle’

Ian Pinnell of Pinnell & Bax Sails

Ian Pinnell (of Pinnell & Bax Sails) is sailing (GBR 4096 - Oooh La La) from Northampton SC, crewed by Ian Cadwallader. Ian is one of the class sailmakers and races a number of other classes at the top level.

He raced in the 505 class at their world championship on the same course (Owen Anchorage) as the F15s will be racing.

Racing under the flag of Hong Kong (HKG 3972 - Australian Expat Finance) are Ashley Smith and Adam Kingston. They are current Australian National Champions (sailed in 2020), and the pair based in Queensland represents the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. They also won the Australian Nationals in 2015.

Another crew from the Royal Hong Kong YC sailing (HKG 3722 - All Torque) is Peter Britten and Oliver Merz. Incidentally, there are F15s from no less than 7 Royal yacht clubs racing at the 2023 Worlds.

Around 50 boats are racing under the Australian flag. A strong West Australian fleet comes from both ends of the state, from Geraldton YC to the north of Perth to Esperance Bay YC on the SW corner of West Australia.

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and South of Perth Yacht Club are located on the Swan River just inland from the ocean off Fremantle. Both clubs have a strong posse of sailors racing at the 2023 F15 Worlds. These include regular club race winners;

David Yu and Chris Nelson sailing (AUS 3859 - Tuffen Up), Hamish Carnachan & Peter Mudford sailing (AUS 3809 - Neffarious) and Greg Leaversuch & Peter Barblett sailing (AUS 3992 - Glamour Buoys).

Flying Fifteens round a gybe mark at the 2019 World Championships on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

Philippa Packer is skippering (AUS 4063 - Firefly) with another former F15 World Champion crew, Dean McAullay. Philippa is one of about 20 female sailors racing in the class at these World Championships.

A big fleet from South of Perth YC includes another regular race winner, (AUS 4072 - The Answer) sailed by Greg Tonnison & Nick Robinson

There are some local WA sailors from other classes who have strong credentials. Lachy Gilmour & Ryan Donaldson have represented Australia in Olympic classes (49er). They are one of the youngest and no doubt fittest of the crews. (AUS 3980 - Ffast Lane 3 - RFBYC / EBYC)

Rod Beurteaux & Simon Wilder have acquired a new boat (AUS 4108 - Uh Oh) sailing for South of Perth YC / East Fremantle YC. Successful sailors from the Viper sports boat class and know WA waters well.

Around ten crews are families sailing together. These include brothers Mike and Paul Dunbar sailing (AUS 3986 - Ineffable) from SoPYC and the father and son team from the UK, Charles and Charlie Apthorp. Charles is another former World and European Champion in the class.

Nine New Zealand-based F15’s have made the journey across the ditch to race at these championships representing the Royal Akarana YC, Manly SC and Napier SC. Amongst these, Murray Gilbert and Jonathan Burgess (NZL 3840 - Ffrenetic)
came third at the 2017 Worlds in Napier, New Zealand. The pair has also won the New Zealand Nationals in the class.

Irish duo John Lavery & Alan Green (IRL 4083 - Phoenix) Photo: Afloat

Two boats have made the trip down under from Dublin in Ireland. Seasoned F15 campaigners John Lavery & Alan Green (IRL 4083 - Phoenix) and Niall Meagher & Nikki Matthews (IRL 3938 - Ffantastic Mr Fox) come from the National YC in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

One competitor has made the journey all the way from South Africa. Alexander Campbell & Ralph Thomas have toured the world in the F15 (RSA 4009 - Rand Hedge), representing the Royal Natal YC / PYC.

The oldest F15 in the fleet designated as a (Silver fleet boat) comes from Parkstone YC, Poole Harbour in the UK, sailed by Graham Latham and Sarah Briscoe (GBR 2876 - Gripple Nipper).

All the entries are listed on the regatta website here 

Flying Fifteen World Championship 2023 Regatta Dates:

• Mar 9 - 12 - Registration & Measurement
• Mar 12 - Invitational Race
• Mar 13 - 16 - Australian Championship
• Mar 17 - Lay-day
• Mar 18 - 25 - Flying Fifteen World Championships

Two National Yacht Club boats from Dun Laoghaire – the stronghold of Irish Flying Fifteen sailing – will contest the 2023 World Championships next month in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Former Irish national champions John Lavery and Alan Green, along with Niall and Nicky Meagher, will compete in the March 18 event that has drawn a fleet of over 77 boats. 

The host organiser of the 2023 Flying Fifteen World Championship is the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, which is located on the Swan River where most of the dinghy/keelboat racing takes place, however, the attraction of sailing on the Indian Ocean waters off Fremantle, (about 3 km downstream from the RFBYC) is too much to ignore for organisers.

'Clear turquoise waters, good sea breezes and downwind surfing waves'

The infamous 'Fremantle Doctor' sea breeze regularly blows from lunchtime onwards throughout most of the summer months, easing slightly in late summer.

Flying Fifteen duo Niall and Nicky Meagher of the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Photo: Chris Doorly

"The March timetable has been chosen as the weather conditions are generally more forgiving at this time of year. The infamous 'Fremantle Doctor' strong sea breezes have usually weakened" say the organisers

The event host is the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club but the regatta will be sailed out of Fremantle Sailing Club on the pristine waters of Owen Anchorage in the Indian Ocean off Fremantle. The facilities at Fremantle Sailing Club are world class and Fremantle is renowned throughout the world for its unique sailing conditions.

Incredibly 77 entries are already on their way to sailing paradise. This figure would not have been possible without the funding provided by key sponsors including Endeavour Homes and the transport and logistics provided by the MSC group.

Flying Fifteens are coming from as far away as South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, New Zealand and all over Australia. Whilst the overseas boats are being shipped to Fremantle, it takes a good three days to tow a F15 from Queensland to West Australia, a similar distance as New York to San Francisco or London to Istanbul! -- Jonny Fullerton

Regatta Dates:
Mar 9 - 12 - Registration & Measurement
Mar 12 - Invitational Race
Mar 13 - 16 - Australian Championship
Mar 17 - Lay-day
Mar 18 - 25 - Flying Fifteen World Championship

flying15worlds2023.com2023 Flying Fifteen World Championships
Fremantle, Western Australia: The host organiser of the 2023 Flying Fifteen World Championship is the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club which is located on the Swan River where most of the dinghy / keelboat racing takes place, however the attraction of sailing on the Indian Ocean waters off Fremantle, (about 3 km down stream from the RFBYC) is too much to ignore for organisers.

'Clear turquoise waters, good sea breezes and downwind surfing waves'

The infamous 'Fremantle Doctor' sea breeze blows regularly from lunchtime onwards throughout most of the summer months, easing slightly in late summer.

"The March timetable has been chosen as the weather conditions are generally more forgiving at this time of year. The infamous 'Fremantle Doctor' strong sea breezes have usually weakened" say the organisers

The event host is the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club but the regatta will be sailed out of Fremantle Sailing Club on the pristine waters of Owen Anchorage in the Indian Ocean off Fremantle. The facilities at Fremantle Sailing Club are world-class and Fremantle is renowned throughout the world for its unique sailing conditions.

Incredibly 77 entries are already on their way to 'sailing paradise', according to promoters.

Flying Fifteens are coming from as far away as South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, New Zealand and all over Australia. Whilst the overseas boats are being shipped to Fremantle, it takes a good three days to tow a F15 from Queensland to West Australia, a similar distance as New York to San Francisco or London to Istanbul!

20023 Flying Fifteen World Championship dates:

• Mar 9 - 12 - Registration & Measurement
• Mar 12 - Invitational Race
• Mar 13 - 16 - Australian Championship
• Mar 17 - Lay-day
• Mar 18 - 25 - Flying Fifteen World Championship

More here

One of the largest one-design fleets in Dublin Bay Sailing Club, the Flying Fifteens, gathered at the end of November in the Royal St. George Yacht Club to mark the close of the 2022 season. In contrast to the previous two seasons, a full schedule of racing had been provided by DBSC with a season that ran from the last Thursday in April to the first Saturday in October. Over four further weekends in October and November, Keith Poole and a varying group of volunteers provided Frostbite racing for the fleet that got up to eleven boats on the water and was marked by the turnout of Lee Statham and Andy Paul from Dunmore East who contested every race apart from the penultimate race when the outhaul on their main broke before the start.

Halfway through the Frostbite Series, we were all stunned by the sudden passing of Ben Mulligan, As Good as It Gets 3688 and Enfant de Marie 4081, in the last week of October and the passing of Ciaran Crummey earlier in the season.

The Royal Irish has had a Flying Fifteen join its numbers late in the season (Phil Lawton), but he was not in attendance but the other three clubs, Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, the Royal St George, and the National Yacht Club, had good turnouts.

The 2022 Class Captain, Jill Fleming, ably assisted by Ronan Beirne, opened the prize-giving after dinner by noting the activities of the fleet over the summer, making specific reference to the Dalkey Race, held in late summer, our involvement in the Women on the Water Regatta where Ciara Mulvey had enjoyed success, the Captain’s Prize, the travelling contingent that supported our provincial events in Connemara, Whitehead, Dunmore East and a lively Lough Derg at the close of the season. Special mention was given to John Lavery and Alan Green who contested the Europeans in Hayling Island and a number of other UK-based events. We also enjoyed a healthy turnout at the Nationals hosted in Dun Laoghaire. She also acknowledged the Class prize-winners at the DBSC prize-giving, Neil Colin and Margaret Casey, David Gorman and Michael Huang and ben Mulligan (R.I.P.) and Cormac Bradley.

The principal prize-winners on the night were as follows;

Scroll down for a prizegiving gallery of images

Saturday Series: David Gorman & Michael Huang/Chris Doorly; Fomo, 4099
Thursday Series: Neil Colin & Margaret Casey; Fuzzy, 4028
Saturday Silver Fleet: Tom Murphy & Carel le Roux; Fflagella, 4057
Most Improved Boat: Alastair Court & Conor O’Leary; Ffinisterre, 3753
Travellers’ Trophy: John Lavery and Alan Green; Phoenix, 4083
Endeavour Trophy: Joe Coughlan & Andrew Marshall; Ash, 3913
Overall Thursday Crew: Margaret Casey; Fuzzy, 4028
Overall Saturday Crew: Cormac Bradley; Enfant de Marie 4081

Fleet Prizes: 

Gold Fleet
1. Ben Mulligan & Cormac Bradley – Enfant de Marie, 4081
2. Neil Colin & Margaret Casey – Fuzzy, 4028
3. Keith Poole & Tom Galvin – Mike Wazowski, 4093

Silver Fleet
1. Tom Murphy & Carel le Roux – Fflagella, 4057
2. Alastair Court & Conor O’Leary – Ffinisterre, 3753
3. Adrian Cooper & Joe McNamara – Rockafellas, 3896

Bronze Fleet
1. Joe Coughlan & Andrew Marshall – Ash, 3913
2. John O’Sullivan & Pat Kiersey – Rhubarb, 3762
3. Mick Quinn & MaryJayne Mulligan – MAXV, 3960

As he collected the last trophy to be presented on the evening, the Heineken Plate for winning the Gold Fleet overall with Ben Mulligan, Cormac Bradley was prompted from the floor to say a few words. He noted that Ben would have really enjoyed the evening and getting the acclaim from his peers for a very successful season. We would all miss him at evenings such as this, in chance conversations over the winter but most especially at the start of the next summer season. Sail on, Ben, I hope you find the star by which you chart your further onward passage!

Flying Fifteen Prizegiving Photography by Frank Miller

Neil Colin (L) and Margaret Casey (R), All Season Thursday DBSC Flying Fifteen Winners, Ross Doyle Tankard

Alan Green with the DBSC Flying Fifteen DAF Trophy (for most distance travelled – with John Lavery)

 Margaret Casey with the Frank Burns Trophy for Best Crew Overall in the DBSC Flying Fifteen Thursday Series

Cormac Bradley with the Godkin Trophy for Best Crew Overall in the DBSC Flying Fifteen Saturday Series

Conor O’Leary (L) and Alastair Court, Most Improved, DBSC Flying Fifteen Neophyte Trophy

 Pat Kiersey (L) & john O’Sullivan (R), 2nd Overall Bronze Fleet in the DBSC Flying Fifteens

 Mick Quinn, (and MaryJayne Mulligan), 3rd Overall Bronze Fleet of the DBSC Flying Fifteens, with Jill Fleming

 Adrian Cooper (L) & Joe McNamara (R), 3rd Overall Silver Fleet of the DBSC Flying Fifteens

Joe Coughlan (L), Jill Fleming and Andrew Marshall (R), Endeavour Trophy (Dalkey Race) & 1st Overall Bronze Fleet, Hellgate Trophy in the DBSC Flying Fifteens

Conor O’Leary (L) and Alistair Court (R), Second Overall Silver Fleet in the DBSC Flying Fifteens

Keith Poole (L) and Tom Galvin (R), 3rd Overall Gold Fleet in the DBSC Flying Fifteens

Tom Murphy (R) with Adrian Cooper, Saturday Silver Fleet, Halfway Mug (donated by the Cooper family) & 1st Overall Silver Fleet in the DBSC Flying Fifteens

Neil Colin and Margaret Casey, 2nd Overall Gold Fleet in the DBSC Flying Fifteens

 2023 Class Captain Robin Hilliard and his deputy/crew/daughter, Dascha, make a presentation to outgoing Class Captain (2022) Jill Fleming

Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen stalwart and crew to Jill Fleming in recent seasons, Frank Burgess, makes a presentation to Jill

The Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet held their AGM last night, chaired by the outgoing Captain, Jill Fleming and attended by seventeen members with representation from the three Dun Laoghaire clubs which have “Fifteens” on their decks, the National Yacht Club, the Royal St George Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club.

A minute’s silence was observed at the start of the meeting to mark the passing of former members Ciaran Crummey and Ben Mulligan.

A brief report by the Captain, referenced the 69 races sailed in the 2022 season, including DBSC, the Captain’s Prize, the race to Dalkey, involvement in the “Women on the Water Regatta”, and the Frostbites.

She referenced the campaigning in UK waters of John Lavery & Alan Green (4083) and wished them well for the Worlds to be sailed in Fremantle in March 2023.

She also reported that Keith Poole will represent the Class on the 2023 DBSC committee.

The “election” of officers will see the following individuals manage the affairs of the fleet for 2023;

• Captain: Robin Hilliard.
• Vice-Captain: Joe Hickey.
• Secretary: David Mulvin (returning).
• Treasurer: Peter Sherry (returning).
• Safety Officer: Adrian Cooper (returning).
• Recorder: Peter Murphy (returning)
• Trophy Secretary: Ronan Beirne (returning)
• Technical Officer: Alan Green (returning).

Peter Sherry, Treasurer, reported on the financial affairs of the fleet for 2022 and advised that the finances are in a healthy condition.

In his absence, Jill Fleming presented the report of the Safety Officer, Adrian Cooper, who raised a number of issues in his report

• the requirement to have whistles and safety knives on board each boat (per crew member)
• the requirement to have buoyancy bags inflated inside buoyancy tanks and advised that a small pump for the purpose of inflating the bags was available in the NYC boathouse
• the protocols for operating the winches in the NYC and,
• the use of paddles when operating under reduced sail.
• The meeting also discussed the need for a session on man-overboard recovery and the requirement that crews helm the boat out to and in from the race area so they are competent to helm in an emergency situation.

A discussion on calendar dates took place but is subject to liaison with the FFAI, the national committee.

"particular concern at different DBSC classes converging at leeward marks"

Under any other business, there was a robust discussion on the format of the DBSC races with particular concern at different classes converging at leeward marks at the same time despite having used a separate weather mark.

The meeting closed with a reminder that the DLFF fleet prize-giving is scheduled for Friday night at the same venue – the Royal St George Yacht Club, with a warning signal at 19:00.

Eleven Flying Fifteens played out the last act of the 2022 sailing season under sunshine conditions on 5th November in good winds from a westerly direction. The early part of the day saw the freshest breezes, but they eased slightly as the day wore on. Another early start, 13:00, was declared to facilitate those who had rugby-watching aspirations and it seems some of the number actually got to the match.

Alan Green (left) and John Lavery – second overall at the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet 2022 Frostbites at the National Yacht Club 

Andy Paul (left) and Lee Statham – third overall at the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet 2022 Frostbites at the National Yacht Club 

Two windward-leeward races were completed under the race management of Keith Poole (4093) who acted as Race Officer for the four Saturdays of the series. Racing on the day was tight at the front of the fleet where the fight for the overall title was concentrated. The south coast visitors Lee Statham and Andrew (Andy) Paul (4070) were in pole position after the conclusion of the three races the previous Saturday, but Alan Green & John Lavery (4083) and Shane McCarthy & Chris Doorly (4085) were snapping at their heels. The latter two each had two DNCs (14pts) whereas Statham & Paul’s worst score was a 5th.

Jill Fleming and Conor O’Leary were first in the silver fleet at the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet 2022 Frostbites at the National Yacht Club 

McCarthy & Doorly took the first race, with Lavery & Green second. Ken Dumpleton & Joe Hickey (3955) were well placed in this race, scoring a third while Statham & Paul were forced into an on the water spectator role when their main outhaul broke. Niall Meagher & Nicki Matthews (3938) scored fourth while Joe Coughlan & Andrew Marshall (3913) were fifth. The first two finishers were playing “cat and mouse” with each other taking (fair) advantage of Statham’s absence from the course.

Joe Coughlan, the first Helm in the Bronze fleet of the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet 2022 Frostbites at the National Yacht Club 

However, the south coast pair were back for the second race of the day with everything to play for. And the three white spinnakers of McCarthy, Lavery and Statham hogged the front of the fleet to themselves on the downwind legs.

McCarthy took the win, with Statham second and Lavery third. Dumpleton was fourth, while fifth place went to Meagher.

Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet 2022 Frostbites Results

Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet 2022 Frostbites Series at the National Yacht Club: 13 boats, 9 Races, 2 Discards 

Prizes were awarded to the 1-2-3 Overall plus the 1st placed boats in the Silver and Bronze Fleets and Ken Dumpleton/Joe Hickey got a prize as the best placed boat on the day outside the 1-2-3.

Ken Dumpleton was a daily prize winner at the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet 2022 Frostbites at the National Yacht Club 

Shane McCarthy thanked the Race Officer, Keith Poole, and his volunteers over the four Saturdays for giving up their time so that the Frostbites could be raced and a thank-you present was presented to Keith.

Flying Fifteen Frostbites Race Officer Keith Poole (left) receives a thank-you gift from Peter Sherry, NYC Vice Commodore

On the eve of the third round of the Flying Fifteen Frostbites, hosted by the National Yacht Club, we were all shocked to hear that our dear friend Ben Mulligan had passed away.

Ben was an integral part of the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet, having sailed in the class over a long number of years. A poll of his contemporaries had indicated that Ben would have wanted the Frostbites to proceed and, on that basis, it was agreed that a tribute to Ben would be paid by the flying of the B flag (for Ben) for a minute’s silence before the start of racing. Ironically, the B flag is the protest flag, something Ben never used – at least in my time sailing with him.

Article author Cormac Bradley (right) sailing with the late Ben Mulligan in September's Flying Fifteen National Championships on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

Six boats gathered at the start area under the control of Race Officer Keith Poole, and at the appropriate time a minute’s silence was observed. A number of others cried off, given the robustness of the wind on shore.

Three races were sailed on a grey drizzly day with winds regularly hitting the mid-twenties at the start of proceedings but dropping off as the afternoon wore on. The first two races were two-lap Windward – Leeward courses with a weather mark and spreader laid in the vicinity of the Outfall Mark to the west of the harbour entrance. The Leeward mark was in transit with the Poolbeg chimneys.
Racing among the six boats was quite tight – in Race 1 one boat trailed the pack, but in Race 2 the pack was much more compact but the off-wind legs saw the fleet split left and right in the lively conditions.

There was a large swell running so there was some excellent surfing opportunities. The third race was a single-lap race to which five boats responded, and it became the tightest race of them all.

Race wins were shared between John Lavery & Alan Green (4083) who took the first two and Shane McCarthy & Chris Doorly (4085) who took the third. However, the first and third races were extremely tight and the difference between 1st and 2nd was no more than a boat length. Lavery & Green were comfortable winners in Race 2. In the third race, Lavery & Green took a penalty on the water, for infringing on David Mulvin & Ronan Beirne (4068), but still managed to catch the fleet and score a low points finish.

The Dunmore East pair of Lee Statham and Andy Paul (4070) who have travelled up for each of the Frostbite Saturdays, scored three third places on the day and Mulvin and Beirne day’s result left them a point ahead of Ken Dumpleton and Joe Hickey (3955) with Tom Murphy & Matt (4057) closing out the finishing order on the day.

The Lough Derg Freshwater One Design regatta last weekend was, for most, a two-day event reduced to one, and for the Northern Ireland sailors who made the long journey to Dromineer somewhat disappointing, especially for the Belfast Lough Flying Fifteen entries, Bryan Willis and Trevor D’Arcy.

But it would seem it was better not to argue with the gale force gusts on the Saturday of the eighteen Flying Fifteens entered, ten actually turned out. Of those, one of the Northern boats, Bryan Willis and David McFarland in Simply Gold had a frightening experience when Bryan was swept overboard while hoisting the spinnaker and got tangled with the spinnaker sheet as the spinnaker was still up. As it was trying to fill, it pulled the sheet tightly around him. The County Antrim Yacht Club helm Bryan said, “ If David moved from the weather side to try to pull me in, the boat threatened to capsize on top of me. It was a relief to be rescued by the Safety Boat”. He continued, “All the boats that went out on Saturday got into trouble at some point, and one was completely upside down”.

Bryan Willis in Simply Gold (4074) neck and neck with Trevor D'Arcy in Don't Look Back (3782) in the lighter winds on Sunday at Lough Derg Yacht Club's Freshwater One Design Regatta Photo Olly Kierse

Trevor D'Arcy and Alan McLernon from Carrickfergus, also on Belfast Lough, did finish, though, at second behind Niall and Ronan O’Brien. But they retired from the second race.

As Afloat reported earlier, Sunday’s conditions were the opposite, with light fluky winds, and on that day, D’Arcy scored another second, 6, 5 and 10 to finish fifth overall. Willis and McFarland redeemed themselves with a 2,3, 6 and 8 to finish ninth.

Some of the Northern Ireland Squib fleet, decided not to travel, leaving the Strangford Lough entry, Robert Marshall from Killyleagh, along with Peter Wallace Gordon Patterson, Terry Rowan and Stephen Stewart from Royal North of Ireland YC on Belfast Lough to compete in the 32 strong fleet.

With no racing on Saturday, all of day 2’s four races counted and coming out on top by one point was Royal North’s Toy for the Boys with Peter Wallace and crew Fiona Ward from Kinsale. Peter won the 2018 Squib Nationals at Royal Irish. Runner up was David Stewart in Granat from Royal Irish with the far travelled Dick Batt from Royal Victoria YC on the Isle of Wight in third slot.

The other Northern Ireland Squibs who travelled to Dromineer finished at eighth, 11th 12th and 13th, respectively: Terry Rowan in Dogwatch, Stephen Stewart in Second Chance, Gordon Patterson’s Fagin (last year’s winner), all from Royal North, and Slipstream with Robert Marshall from Killyleagh. Patterson’s crew Ross Nolan said, “ It was great to get back to Dromineer for the annual season closer and catch up with everyone. Challenging racing in light and shifty conditions, especially with shorter races due to the compressed schedule. This was typical close Squib racing and another great regatta”.

Result sheets are downloadable below

Niall O'Brien and Ronan O'Brien won the Irish Flying Fifteen's last regatta of 2022 at the weekend when they claimed the 2022 Freshwater One Design Regatta title on Lough Derg.

It is the second win of the season for the Connemara duo, who claimed the FF Southern Championships at Dunmore East in August and also took third overall at September's National Championships on Dublin Bay in September. 

In a fine turnout on Lough Derg, 19 Flying Fifteens saw strong winds on Saturday with lighter conditions of under ten knots for four races on Sunday.

The National Yacht Club's Tom Galvin and Keith Poole finished second, two points behind the winners on 22 points. 

Third was Waterford Harbour's Charlie Boland and Rob McConnell on 23 points.

Flying Fifteen Lough Derg Yacht Club 2022 Freshwater One Design Regatta results 

Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteens are preparing for a busy end to the year with a four-week Harbour Frostibe Series beginning this Saturday. 

The biggest one-design keelboat class on Dublin Bay will break its series on October 15th to compete at Lough Derg Yacht Club's freshwater keelboat regatta in County Tipperary.

The full schedule is:

• October 8th FF15 Frostbite NYC
• October 15th Lift out RSGYC & NYC NYC/RSGYC
• October 15th - 16th Keelboat regatta LDYC
• October 22nd FF15 Frostbite NYC
• October 29th FF15 Frostbite NYC
• November 5th FF15 Frostbite NYC
• November 15th FF15 AGM RStGYC
• November 18th FF15 2022 Prize Giving Dinner RStGYC

The Class AGM took place this week with plans laid out for Irish participation at the 2023 World Championships in Fremantle, Australia, next March.

One of the smaller Flying Fifteen fleets of the year, ten boats, turned out for the last DBSC Saturday of 2022.

A number of crews were away sailing Fireballs in Killaloe, and some others are away on holidays, and it is possible that a weather forecast that was suggesting gusts of up to 25 knots from the West might have put others off.

The late morning/early afternoon on the platform at the National Yacht Club was bathed in sunshine and the protection from the West make have created a false impression of what was going on outside the harbour.

The subsequent sight of a J70 pinned to leeward with a flogging spinnaker and an SB20 also struggling under spinnaker as they exited the harbour were two tell-tale signs that there was plenty of wind out on the Bay.

Race Officer Barry O’Neill positioned Freebird in the western corner of the Bay and the sail out to the racecourse was a modestly wet one as the wind fought the incoming tide. There were also some fierce gusts as a rain cloud passed west to south on the fringes of the water. Our wind reading gave us a 265° course to the weather mark and we made a decision to start at the committee boat end with the intention of sailing towards the left-hand side of the course. It seems our plan was not to the satisfaction of the Race Officer who called us back as an OCS. Everyone else had made a clean start and at the outer end of the line we could see Tom Galvin & Keith Poole (4093), Tom Murphy & Conor O’Leary (4057), Peter & Alex Sherry (4056), Peter Murphy & Ciara Mulvey (3774) and Niall Meagher & Nicki Matthews (3938). Ken Dumpleton and Joe Hickey (3955) were on our transom and as our sail number was called over the radio, Ken politely confirmed our status as OCS.

Rounding the committee boat to restart we headed inshore as per the original plan and soon found that boat speed was allowing us to catch some of the lighter crews on the water. However, Galvin, Murphy (T) and Dumpleton were proving to be bigger nuts to crack…….understandably. In the final approach to the weather mark, Murphy & O’Leary were slightly outside the port lay line while Galvin and Dumpleton were on the inside of the port lay line, having come across the course on starboard with Dumpleton seemingly in the controlling position. The order of rounding was Murphy (T), Galvin, Dumpleton and Mulligan. After the spreader mark spinnakers were set on the starboard tack but Mulligan & Bradley chose to gybe away from the other three and in so doing got stronger (!) breeze and much better surfing conditions. The others ultimately followed suit but the early gybe by Mulligan allowed him to close distance on the other three initially and a second gybe in close company with Galvin & Poole, followed by a slightly early spinnaker drop, with a third gybe, allowed Mulligan to stay inside Galvin at the mark and secure the weather berth for the second beat. Dumpleton & Hickey were still in the frame at this stage but to leeward of Galvin & Poole and a boat-length or two behind. Murphy & O’Leary has spinnaker complications that saw them drop out of the lead bunch. Galvin tacked off early to head inshore and Mulligan and Dumpleton kept loose company with each other for another 100m or so. Wind conditions were on the rise at this stage but despite the aggressive conditions Mulligan & Bradley still tried to sail by the numbers. Abandoning Dumpleton they tacked off inshore and worked the middle of the course. There were some severe “rig-rattling” gusts coming through at this stage!

At the second weather mark, Mulligan had taken over the lead with a 50-60m gap between him and Galvin. Gybing early to facilitate the fact that the spinnaker was stowed in the starboard bag, Mulligan sailed down the run on port tack till late on when a second gybe was required to round the leeward mark. Galvin followed suit as did Dumpleton. By way of attrition and having the benefit of more weight on board, Joe Coughlan & Andrew Marshall (3913) had worked their way up to fourth place.

With a short two-sail leg from the leeward mark to the finish line, the finishing sequence saw Mulligan & Bradley win, followed by Galvin & Poole and Dumpleton & Hickey, with Coughlan & Marshall 4th and Tom Murphy & Conor O’Leary 5th. Breakages also claimed a number of retirements (3) but I should acknowledge the two lady crews who finished the race in very physical conditions – Mary Jane Mulligan, sailing with Mick Quinn (6th) and Alex Sherry, sailing with dad, Peter, (7th).
Given the conditions, the second race was abandoned. And ashore we heard that it wasn’t just wind strength that had prompted that decision. I'm not sure anyone was complaining!

Ben Mulligan and Cormac Bradley were the winners of the final DBSC Saturday Flying Fifteen Race Photo: Afloat

DBSC – Saturday 1st October, Flying Fifteens
1. Ben Mulligan & Cormac Bradley, 4081
2. Tom Galvin & Keith Poole, 4093
3. Ken Dumpleton & Joe Hickey, 3955
4. Joe Coughlan & Andrew Marshall, 3913
5. Tom Murphy & Conor O’Leary, 4057.

DBSC – Saturday Series B (as designated by DBSC)
1. David Gorman & Michael Huang/Chris Doorly – 28pts
2. Ben Mulligan & Cormac Bradley – 42pts
3. Alistair Court & Conor O’Leary – 53pts
4. Ian Mathews/Tom Galvin & Keith Poole – 55pts
5. John Lavery & Alan Green – 57pts.

DBSC Saturdays (All Season)
1. David Gorman & Michael Huang/Chris Doorly – 49pts
2. Ben Mulligan & Cormac Bradley – 72pts
3. David Mulvin & Ronan Beirne – 111pts
4. Neil Colin & Margaret Casey – 122pts
5. Ian Mathews/Tom Galvin & Keith Poole – 127pts.

On behalf of the Flying Fifteen fleet, may I thank the DBSC Race Management Teams for their time and effort on the water to bring us what has been a very full season. The first Saturday of DBSC 2022 was blown out back in April and I can recall one Thursday when we didn’t get the boats wet because there was so little wind that racing was abandoned before we even went afloat. We have had everything in between and the class has enjoyed the courses set by Barry O’Neill (Saturdays) and John Mc Neilly (Thursdays) with some guest appearances by Neil Murphy (Howth).

Flying Fifteen Frostbites

The Class will now embark on a four Saturday race-day Frostbite Series starting next Saturday (8th October), with the intention of sailing two races a day (I think) with the freshwater regatta in Lough Derg the following weekend (15/16th).

Flying Fifteen agm

The Class AGM takes place this evening (3rd October) on Zoom, starting at 7pm – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8830331260?pwd=bHZUa0IycmlNTmN1MU9PSU50NE9xQT09
Meeting ID: 883 033 1260
Passcode: spinnaker