All the open and travelling circuit has now finished for the winter, it doesn’t mean sailing has stopped. Personally, I’ve really enjoyed sailing at Chew this last month with the banter and camaraderie that only fleet sailing brings. I must admit on seeing a plethora of upturned asymmetrical dinghy hulls at the gybe mark, I do think myself lucky that the 15 doesn’t capsize! (Well, only briefly).
In addition, your committee has been busy behind the scenes for next year. 2022 is a qualifying year for the 2023 Australian worlds in Perth, surely a bucket list venue. This means there is a set of qualifying events commencing with the Northerns at Royal Windemere in April and finishing with the Nationals in July. A full set of rules are published here
Can I thank Bill Chard for his work in pulling this together. Also, to try and encourage turn outs and increase competition throughout the fleet we will be running 3 divisions at each event with separate prizes.
At the end of the qualification series we plan to notify competitors of their place in the UK worlds team in late July / August. Keith Jamieson has made contact with the shipping agent Pindar and boats will be shipped in late November / December.
We plan to hold a series on squad training days on the sea during the Autumn to ensure we arrive ‘down under’ fully prepared for 15-20 knot breeze, sunshine and waves. If only the cricketers had done this !
We are still awaiting word from Flying Fifteen International on how to implement the rule changes, especially the weight reduction. We understand the rules are still with World Sailing awaiting ratification. In the meantime, please do not make any changes to your boat.
In addition to the world qualifiers and Nationals at Hayling, there’s also the 2022 European Championships and the classes 75th anniversary in Cowes in late August
News from the boat builders is healthy, with Ovingtons expanding their factory and Ginger boats keen to expand their presence in the fleet. Currently, the association has a stand at the 2022 RYA Dinghy & Watersports show at its new venue in Farnborough and will post more details when the latest Covid situation becomes more clear.
Steve Goacher, class stalwart and head of Goacher Sails is taking a well deserved rest from the day to day activities of running the loft and has passed the batten across to Chris and Hannah Robinson. On behalf of the UK Flying Fifteen Fleet, can I thank Steve for all his time and dedication to the class. I look forward to seeing Steve’s transom ahead of me for a long time to come.
Can I finish off, by wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. Who knows, you might even be able to sneak a little sailing in! Wherever you spend Christmas, I hope you enter 2022 with fond memories of great sailing and friendships made all through the wonderful Flying Fifteen.
Good Sailing,
Ian Cadwallader
Flying 15 GBR 4055
[email protected]