I’m writing this the day after the Olympics ended in Paris (and Marseilles, or even Tahiti…), the weather seems to have picked up here in the UK, and it feels like a summer of sports is well underway.

In the Flying Fifteen world, since my last newsletter piece we’ve had 2 more championship (and qualifier) events: the Nationals at Strangford Lough, and the Inlands at Grafham. The Nationals was a huge success thanks to the hard work put in by the host club, including some very efficient launch and recovery, and a full series of ten races completed. Those who went to the previous Nationals at Strangford will know it’s not always like that! At the Inlands Championships Grafham served up some of the trickiest and shiftiest conditions I can remember, making it a very challenging event. Both events were well supported, congratulations to those who made it into the prizes.

Our championship series this year extends through late summer and into autumn, with the Northerns at Bassenthwaite SC in September and the Scottish Championship at Loch Lomond in October. Get your entries in now!

In the meantime, away from our own regular circuit, ex-Champion Rupert Mander entered Cowes Week where he achieved a clean sweep of the Flying Fifteen class, finished first overall in White Group, and was named overall Cowes Week winner - an impressive result at a world class regatta.

That’s all for a short update this time - hope you continue to enjoy the sailing season, see you at a Fifteen event soon.

Bill Chard,
GBR 4069