The South Cerney Flying Fifteen Open meeting was well attended, drawing the support of 7 boats/crews of the SCSC fleet and attracting visiting teams from Datchet, Broxbourne, Llangorse
and Middle Nene.

Saturday morning was fine and warm, with a light SSW filling the lake, giving the fleet enough breeze to get the racing underway. The race team set a triangle, sausage course for the fleet to tackle.

Race one started with the four visiting boats fighting it out at the front of the fleet, while Derek Harrison and Tim Greaves from SCSC led the chasing pack. As the race progressed the wind started to drop and swing which limited the overtaking, leaving John Hanson and Helen Selden to take the win, starting where they left off last year.

Race two saw John and Helen lead the race from the start until they got stuck in a hole while the rest of the fleet closed. Once the wind started to fill in again, John and Helen had been overtaken by Bob Tait and Peter Comber. While Derek Harrison and Tim Greaves were just behind. On Handicap, Derek and Tim took the win with Bob and Peter second.

After a short lunch break the wind had backed to SW and settled down to a healthy 8 knots across the lake. The race time reset the course and off the boats went. The fleet once again was led by John and Helen in 4094. The Silver fleet was fighting behind, with John Harvey and Barry Medwell leading them but closely followed by Alex and Mike Tatlow, Derek, and Tim. John and Helen took the win, with Bob Tait and Peter Comber second followed closely by Neil and Stuart Bartholomey. The last race of day one was led from start to finish by John Hanson and Helen Selden. Neil and Stuart Bartholomey pushed them all the way but 4094 just got away to finish with a healthy lead. Richard Taylor and Aliz Bodo were leading the Silver and the Classic Fleet, but after missing out the wing mark on the triangle they retired from the race.

Day two had a wet and windy forecast, but that was not delivered. After a short postponement, a lovely Southerly breeze filled and the fleet started Race 5 of the series with again a Triangle, Sausage Course. After a slow first lap, the wind filled and John Hanson and Helen Selden lead the fleet around the course with Bob Tait and Peter Comber Second. Alex and Mike Tatlow took third place.

In the final race of the meeting, the first place was already decided, but second and third was still all to play for, as well as the first Silver and First Classic boat. John Hanson and Helen Selden lead the fleet away, followed by Pete and Stephen Card. Bob Tait and Peter Comber had trouble with the kite and saw them fall back into the chasing pack. Derek Harrison had Ian Bartlett crewing on day two and needed to sort out some kite problems out after Race 5. They managed to get it flying and stretched their legs and took third place and First in the Silver Fleet. In the Classic Fleet Richard Taylor and Aliz just managed to keep Steve O’Donnell and his Daughter Grace O’Donnell under control to take First Classic Fleet.

Special prizes were awarded to cadets Grace and Josh for their involvement.

A huge Thank you was given to South Cerney Sailing Club for hosting the event from the onshore Bar and Galley Team to the Race Officer Jonny Stevenson and Committee for running some great
racing.

J. Stevenson /J. Harvey

Overall