Flying Fifteen National Classic and Silver Championships 2025 at Dovestone Sailing Club

 

Classic and Silver division Flying Fifteens enjoyed a weekend of close racing and camaraderie in the glorious surroundings of this Peak District location. The weather forecast for the weekend was not too encouraging with force 4 gusting winds on both days and steady rain projected. In the event, for once the weather gods were more generous. Saturday dawned with a lightish and fickle westerly and dry conditions.

Visitors were welcomed from several clubs, with 5 boats from Scotland including Kenny and Paul Leask who had travelled from Shetland/Germany and boats from the North and Midlands of England.

After three exciting races the sailors enjoyed an atmospheric evening at the club with an excellent meal and live entertainment. This was an opportunity to get to know and reacquaint sailors from other clubs and talk about future plans and boats to be saved.

On Sunday after breakfast rolls sailing resumed with a little more wind which reverted to a fickler breeze during the races. After completing two more races the racing ended with steady rain and the wind continued to be lightish and fickle. In the combined fleet the classics were to the fore. The Classics finished 759, 627 and 2646 in their overall series positions. In the Silver fleet the series outcome was in the balance between 3332 and 3398. Whilst 3332 lead the outcome was not certain until the line was crossed.

After an excellent lunch the prize-giving took place, with the prizes themselves generously sponsored by Impact Marine, to whom we are very grateful. The Commodore Iain particularly thanked the visitors for their support. The Prize winners were as follows:

Classic

1st 759 Andrew McKee & Emily Kippen (Dovestone SC) Championship Trophy, Royal Torbay half Hull, Coweslip Trophy half hull, Ladies Classic Bowl

2nd 627 Bobby Salmond & Ben Thackray (Royal Northern YC)

3rd 2646 Jeremy Arnold & Richard Hope (Draycote Water SC)

Silver

1st 3332 Tim Allen & Iain McNeill (Dovestone SC) Championship Trophy

2nd 3398 Kenny & Paul Leask (Lerwick Boating Club)

3rd 3286 Jordan Aspin & Jason Benn (Sir John Fisher SC)

In the Classic fleet 759 Andrew and Emily with 4 wins and a discarded 2nd were deserving winners. The following 4 boats had only 2 points separating them, showing how close the competition had been.

In the silver fleet it had been more of a two-boat race eventually won by 3332 Tim and Iain.