Flying 15 Race Reports

FIFTEEN LEGEND CHALKS UP ANOTHER TITLE WIN

Great Britain’s triple world champion Steve Goacher teamed up with the winning skipper from last year’s Flying Fifteen nationals, Matt Owen, to secure the Golden Anniversary National championship for the class. The union resulted in Owen winning an Australian title in successive years, one as helmsman and one as crew!

The championship was conducted on Perth’s picturesque Swan River and hosted by the South of Perth Yacht Club. Conditions varied through the week, with fresh south westerlies early, which gave way to some very light easterly breezes later in the week as weather conditions were influenced by a cyclone hovering off the north west of the State, and finished in a reasonably steady 12 to 15 knot easterly on the final day.

Before the start of today’s race, Goacher’s assignment was simple. To win the title he had to ensure that he did not allow Alan Bax and Simon Childs to finish more than three places ahead of him. As it happened, both finished worse than seventh, so today’s race did not influence the scoreline for either boat.

The result was a huge triumph for the three visiting British crews, who took out the first three placings in the regatta. The trio showed remarkable consistency, so much so that the worst placing for any of them was a fifteenth in the 58 boat fleet. Individual brilliance by several of the Australians from time to time was offset by the odd disaster in their scoreline and even with the benefit of two drops, they could not match the visitors.

Today’s race was a triumph for Adele Jackson and Dean McAullay. They suffered a horrible day yesterday, starting out with a black flag disqualification in the first race and tenth place in the other two races – their worst scores for the week. Starting sensibly near the centre of the line today, the pair were clearly focused on controlling the centre of the course. The played the shifty easterly well, ignoring the massive proportion of the fleet which headed off to the north side of the course on the first beat, and led at the top mark, with Adam Hawkins, Mike Hart, Graeme Lillingstone and David Yu in hot pursuit.
Positions remained static on the square run, but on the second beat, Jackson/McAullay were very disciplined in sticking to their game plan to open up the gap to the chasing pack, but on the first reach the pack brought some fresher breeze down with them and once again that gap was back to about 30 seconds between first and second. Goacher and Bax were doing what they had to do, well back from the leaders, and Hart had an uncharacteristic “lose” at the gybe mark, opening the door for David Yu and Chris Nelson.

Positions remained relatively stable during the final windward and return leg, so in a massive turnaround, Jackson/McAullay took the win ahead of Hawkins/Jones and Yu/Nelson, with Mike Hart finishing fourth.

Steve Goacher and Matt Owen therefore take home the Australian Flying Fifteen Championship trophy, with Adele Jackson and Dean McAullay being the best all-Australian crew.

Geraldton’s Adam Semple and Lisa Greeve won the silver fleet trophy with a four point buffer over Hank Heimans and Alan Sharpe, while Ray Ellard and Ken Treharne won the Classic championship without having to sail today.

Final Top 10:
1. 3988 17 Steve Goacher/Matt Owen
2. 3987 20 Alan Bax/Simon Childs
3. 3775 22 Mike Hart/Richard Rigg
4. 3933 27 Adele Jackson/Dean McAullay
5. 3781 30 David Tucker/Matt Summers
6. 3881 30 Adam Hawkins/Ben Jones
7. 3670 35 Graeme Lillingstone/Ed Repsevicius
8. 3743 43 Greg Tonnison/Steve Roberts
9. 3859 45 David Yu/Chris Nelson
10. 3982 58 Chris Paterson/Rupert Leslie

Final Silver Fleet:
1. 3085 10 Adam Semple/Lisa Greeve
2. 3224 14 Hank Heimans/Alan Sharpe
3. 3312 15 Murray Latham/Tony Pugh

Final Classic Fleet:
1. 2756 6 Ray Ellard/Ken Treharne
2. 2012 11 Peter Paton/Narelle Thomas
3. 2115 20 Wayne Hudson/Brianna Hudson

GOACHER AGAIN

Today’s weather forecasts proved to be right on the money – much to everyone’s dismay. Race Officer Les Swinton was left lamenting when time after time he attempted to set a course, only to face a major wind shift during the start sequence.

A reasonably steady easterly greeted the fleet on its arrival at the race area on the Swan River, but it was fading rapidly as the clock counted down to start time. The first attempted start resulted in a general recall and during the re-start sequence the breeze dropped right away, forcing a postponement. A course was set to the south east, then another back to the east, until finally at 4:30pm, race 4 started under a black flag, this time in a south westerly sea breeze.

Predictably all the big names headed to the left off the start line, but the ones who tacked back towards the centre early made the best gains. Steve Goacher was one of those to make that choice, along with Mike Hart and they rounded the top mark with a small but handy lead.

The race committee selected course 2, requiring one windward and return lap followed by a triangle and a beat to the finish. By the end of the first lap, it was clear that the race would be dominated by the British trio of Goacher, Hart and Bax, but behind them places were constantly swapping as Adam Hawkins and Ben Jones (3881), Adele Jackson/Dean McAullay (3933), David Tucker/Matt Summers (3781), John Wilson/Nick Hancock all fought for the honour of being the first “non British” boat to finish.

At the last gasp, Jackson/McAullay delayed their approach to the finish line until they were almost on the starboard layline. It proved a master stroke and allowed them to call Adam Hawkins /Ben Jones, who made a port tack approach, giving them fourth place. It was another solid performance by Hawkins though, and moves him to fourth place in the overall standings after four races.

The race committee wisely decided to call it a day after completing the race, though a second race had been scheduled. With more light weather forecast for tomorrow, competitors and officials face a tough day of competition.

Progress Points Summary:
1. 3988 Steve Goacher/Matt Owen (11)
2. 3987 Alan Bax/Simon childs (13)
3. 3933 Adele Jackson/Dean McAullay (16)
4. 3881 Adam Hawkins/Ben Jones (25)
5. 3775 Mike Hart/Richard Rigg (26)
6. 3670 Graeme Lillingstone/Ed Repsevicius (27)
7. 3743 Greg Tonnison/Steve Roberts (34)
8. 3859 David Yu/Chris Nelson (34)
9. 3781 David Tucker/Matt Summers (35.5)
10. 3717 Greg Leaversuch/Peter Barblett (36)

FLYING FIFTEEN CHAMPIONS SHAPE UP

In south westerly conditions just a little lighter than yesterday, the first two races of the 50th Anniversary Flying Fifteen Nationals were completed today and the big names all performed up to expectations, with some surprises thrown into the mix.

Greg Leaversuch and Peter Barblett set the early pace, setting up a big lead at the end of the first beat after an excellent start. Like the majority of the fleet, they favoured the south side of the course and with the breeze still swinging slightly to the left, it was the right choice for them. On the second work however, they chose the north side, only to meet Goacher, Hart and Hawkins who played the south, at the top mark. Although they maintained their lead at that point, the final work saw Leaversuch swamped by Steve Goacher/Matt Owen, then Adam Hawkins and Ben Jones (who also finished second in yesterday’s invitation race but were premature starters) and Englishmen Mike Hart and Richard Rigg.

Alan Bax and Simon Childs were fifth, just ahead of State S80 champion David Yu and former world champion Graeme Lillingstone, now into his seventies and still supremely fit and competitive.
In the second race of the day, the leaders after the first beat were Chris Paterson and Rupert Leslie, backing up their sixth place in yesterday’s invitation race, but they were hotly pursued by Adele Jackson and Dean McAullay, who are starting to realise their potential, and the Andrew Grist/Ian Johnston combination. Steve Goacher was menacing in fourth place, ahead of John Wilson and Nick Hancock.

During the second lap, Paterson/Leslie slipped back several places to round fourth, surrendering the lead to Jackson/McAullay, who by this stage had opened up a gap of around 100 metres on Steve Goacher, who had moved up to second. Mike Hart was next and the crowd behind him were all baying for buoy room as they converged on the top mark.

But there was no way that Adele Jackson was going to allow Goacher to run her down as he was able to do in the previous race, and she and Dean McAullay finished the race with a lead of 1 minute and 15 seconds. The crew’s preparation received a serious set-back during the recent ISAF Worlds in Fremantle, where Jackson played a significant role in the organisational side of the women’s match racing. For two weeks the team was unable to continue its training program, hardly an ideal preparation for a national championship.
So after two races, it’s all Great Britain! Goacher/Owen lead the tally board with 4 points, ahead of Bax/Childs with 7 and Hart/Rigg with 8. The best of the locals are now the Jackson/McAullay combination with 10 points, Leaversuch/Barblett with 12 and Yu/Nelson with 13.

Tomorrow’s race is scheduled for the morning, which should see it run in an easterly breeze on flat water – a pleasant change from the blustery south westerly that has characterised racing to date.

Report by Bernie Kaaks

Racing begins in Perth

Racing began today at 13:55 local time for the 50th Australian National Championships at the South of Perth Yacht Club with an invitation (practice) race. The highly competitive fleet getting away under a black flag that caught out three boats 3833, 3878 and 3972.

The fleet raced in temperatures of 30 degrees under azure blue skies and 15 - 20 knots or breeze, British helms showing well at this early stage with Bax/Childs winning from Goacher/Owen second; Hart and Rigg were 5th. Simon Childs is reported as saying "I hope the win doesn't put the mokers on the week".

The racing proper commences tomorow again at 13:55 local time with slightly less breeze forecast. The fleet are enjoying a "home hosting" dinner this evening.
Full results here http://www.f15austnationals2012.yachting.org.au/default.asp?Page=50367

The Ovington Inland Championships

Held over the 5th/6th November this was the first year that the Flying Fifteens have been included in the Ovington Inlands at Grafham Water. At short notice the fleet turned out a really strong showing of eight boats with visitors from as far afield as Bewl and Burton. Ovington and GWSC laid on an excellent social program with a Band, Supper and fantastic fireworks.

The race programme comprised of seven races with one discard, four back to back on Saturday and three of the same format on Sunday. Certainly more hectic than the oldies are used to! Racing on the same course as the 29ers some close calls were inevitable, but courtesy and good planning from both fleets kept this disruption to a minimum. Races were kept within forty minutes facilitating very close racing right to the finish line.

Race 1 started promptly in light airs with a square line and pressure up the port and starboard lay-lines, Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan rounded the windward in first closely followed by Allen Cave with Ashley Painter and Tom and Nick Taylor. Much place changing ensued up and down the next legs seeing Robert and Glyn with the bullet, followed by Tom and Nick then Allen and Ashley.

Tactically race 2 was very similar with both sides paying and a hole in the middle of the beat, requiring careful planning to avoid the hooligans on skim dishes ringing the bell on the corners of their beat and run. Robert and Glyn secured their final bullet for the day followed by Chris Swallow and Arthur George.

In a freshening breeze races 3 and 4 promptly got under way with a tight group meeting at the windward mark in both instances. In both cases Tom and Nick Taylor and Dave and Jenny Philpott pulled away downwind followed by strong challenges upwind from the Philpotts, beaten off by the Taylors giving them two bullets and the Philpotts two 2nds. Robert and Glyn racked up a 3rd in race 3, with Jonathan and Tricia Knight securing a well deserved 3rd in race 4.

Racing commenced on Sunday to a stiff, cold northerly gusting up to 23 knots – just superb planing conditions for the Flying Fifteens! In race 5 Robert and Glyn were back on form securing another 1st, closely followed by Allen and Ashley in 2nd favouring the breeze and the Knights gaining another 3rd.

Races 6 and 7 concluded with Allen and Ashley, Robert and Glyn taking turns at 1st and 2nd place, Graham Wadeley and Angela Tasker and the Taylors taking 3rd respectively. An incident on the final gybe mark of race 6 saw Barry Wyatt take a refreshing dip aided by Jonathan Knight's mainsheet… after breaking most of the rules of racing Jonathan carried out a successful MOB drill with the fleet stopping to watch, point and laugh their heads off – genuine sympathy!

Final results:
1st (9pts) Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan
2nd (14pts) Tom Taylor and Nick Taylor
3rd (20pts) Allen Cave and Ashley Painter.

Report written by Tom Taylor

Flying Fifteen Open and Team Racing Event

Bassenthwaite 22nd/23rd Oct - report by Roy Blackburn

Fifteen Fifteens turned up to contest the Bassenthwaite Open Meeting and Team Racing event on the 22nd of October, despite a forecast which threatened winds of up to 35mph. The event is run as a normal open event but, in addition, there is a team racing element. Competitors form themselves into teams of three boats and aggregate scores determine the team standings.

Before the start the wind was relatively light in the bay, considering the forecast. However, the 'cats paws' flying across the lake in all directions were suggestive of a very drunk and malevolent moggy. An extremely competitive fleet assembled with Steve Goacher making the trip from Windermere and nine visitors journeying west from Derwent Reservoir to join the five home boats.
The first race started on time and Race Officer 'Round the Lake' Toggle justified his soubriquet. Fifteen Fifteens were soon disappearing southwards through the gap. Hopefully they would reappear at some point.
It was, in point of fact, some time before the fleet returned, as the wind at the other end of the lake had eased, failing to live up to its forecast ferocity. John Hardisty and Roger Errington made excellent use of the conditions to lead the fleet home in the first race with Steve Goacher and Richard Rigg in second place. Simon Longstaff and Jon Denwood from the home club were third.
As the hoped for breeze had failed to materialise at the other end of the lake, the second race was sailed in the bay. Normal service was resumed, with Steve Goacher winning from Neil Platt and Ian Smith, from Bass. Simon Longstaff was again third with John Hardisty only managing fourth.
Steve Goacher had shown his shrewdness onshore before racing began by selecting Simon Longstaff and Neil Platt as his accomplices in the team racing event (which is to say they mugged him in the boat park) and they comfortably topped the standings overnight.
Sunday morning dawned with some apparent reluctance; it was grey and dreary, with the strong overnight winds having eased. The Race Officer took the fleet out for two races back to back in a moderate SE breeze. As the start approached a watery sun threatened to break through. Close racing was enjoyed throughout the fleet with Steve Goacher and Richard Rigg again taking line honours from Rod Huddleston and Chris Tew, with John Hardisty and Roger Errington in third.
Although he had wrapped up the series Steve Goacher elected to stay out and contest the last race for the good of his team, although it could have been argued that he didn't really need the practice!
In the event a really close race ensued with Neil Platt and Ian Smith edging out Goacher and Rigg to take second overall. John Hardisty and Roger Errington took third place in the race, which secured them third overall.
The 'Mercenary Bass Tards' lead by Steve Goacher and Richard Rigg took the honours in the Team Racing event by a very comfortable margin.
The prudent timing of the Race Officer was applauded by all when, a short time after racing had finished, the wind increased to Force Stupid, in line with what had been threatened all weekend, and four foot waves rolled down the length of the lake.

Pea Souper at Datchet FF Open

October 15th/16th 2011 – report by Richard Jones

Twelve Flying Fifteen teams, including three visitors, rolled up on Sunday 16th October to be greeted by a pea soup of a fog, copious coffee, and New Zealand thrashing the Aussies on TV. No contest really…. The Club Weather Station gave the average wind over 30 minutes as 0.0knots…

The Saturday had kicked off under blue skies and 7 knots of gently failing breeze – the PRO setting out to get three races in. The fleet was led out of the gate by Mike Firth and James Waterhouse making their second great start of the year! Tacking around the first buoy they led off to the wrong mark, the Fleet dutifully following. John Hanson and Helen Selden, tail-end Charlies at that point, spotted the error and pushed out to windward and into the lead. The Fleet, of course, rolled over Firth and Waterhouse pushing them to the back. Race one was brilliantly won by Chris and Tom Waples, ahead of Hamish MacKay and Andrew Lawson, with Hanson and Selden coming in third. Race two was again taken by The Waples, followed by Whittaker and Fairley of the home Club, and Hanson and Selden again squeezing on to the podium.

Then, the breeze died completely and the PRO called it a day. Sunday was a washout what with the fog and no breeze. Overall results were dominated by The Waples, followed by Hanson/Selden, Whittaker/Fairley both of the home Club.

Overall Results:-

1st 3716 Waples/Waples 2pts
2nd 3539 Hanson/Selden 6 pts
3rd 3732 Whittaker/Fairley 7pts
4th 3788 MacKay/Lawson 8 pts
5th 3378 Clark/Boyd-Philips 11pts