Flying Fifteen Nationals

Point Yacht Club

Flying Fifteen Nationals

Durban: 16 – 20 December

As the festive season approaches, a fleet of Flying Fifteen sailors will be heading offshore to compete in the Flying Fifteen Nationals hosted jointly by Point Yacht Club and Royal Natal Yacht Club.

Back to defend their title, the industrious team of Paul Changuion from Ballito will be driving hard with team mate, Tim Duguid from Morningside on Ffoxxoff in the hopes of reclaiming the title. But the battle will be on as the kings of the class, Highway’s Patrick Harris and Jeremy Kriek will be keen to dethrone the Changuion / Duguid combo. 

The commanding team of Harris and Kriek launched their brand new boat Ffigjam at last year’s Nationals, after a delayed start to their regatta, the masters in the Flying Fifteen class also had to literally bail from the course during the regatta. Point’s Rear Commodore for Dinghies, Myles White recalls, “As I remember Patrick and Jeremy missed the first race whilst still rigging their new ff, and had to return to port on the heavy-weather day as they hadn’t had a chance to fit any self-bailers, and the boat was carrying a few hundred litres of water in the cockpit, which they had to hand-bail.”

“My prediction, Ffigjam and Ffoxxoff are going to be duking it out for first and second, and should be out in front for most races. My money is on Patrick & Jeremy to win.” White states.

Adding to the mix, brothers Thomas and Peter Funke, who have had a very successful year in the 505 class finishing eighth in the world in the World Championships earlier this year, will be swopping their 505 craft to compete in the more traditional styled yacht. 

Returning after a busy work year, Campbell Alexander teams up with David Curtiss. Alexander commented, “I am hoping for heavy weather because I have a great heavy weather crew in Dave. We both have been off the water a fair bit this year, so I know we both are looking forward to being back. Just in time, I guess as I am turning my focus to the Laser Worlds in Mexico next year, so needing to dust off the cobwebs.”

A maximum of ten races will test the competitors offshore of Durban with Race Officer Rob Bell from Hilton only needing four races needed to constitute a regatta. Bell has the option for racing to commence in the harbour if the weather gets to blustery.

Leading by example, White will be teaming up with sailing partner, Estelle Buys. The two Mikes join forces again, helmsman Mike Wright and Mike Surgeson aka Mango Pip both from Westville are looking forward to pushing the fleet. As will Midlands’s sailor, Anthony McMillan sailing with Lorna Daniel. Another possible podium candidate is Vince Tiedt who will be sailing with Jim Rushton and his daughter, Hannah who are going to be sharing the duties at the sharp end of the boat. Expected to make their first appearance in the class are husband and wife team, Rob and Tracey Bowman, who recently took ownership of their Flying Fifteen.

White reviews, “The bronze medal is a bit open, if the wind is strong all through the regatta, Campbell should have this all to himself. In lighter to moderate winds I believe that those featuring will be the Funkes, Mike Wright & Mango Pip; Anthony McMillan & Lorna, and of course Estelle and myself. If we can earn a fourth overall, I will be ecstatic.”

Joining the magnificent twenty foot dinghies will be a number of catamarans keen to get some racing in ahead of the down time over the holidays. Included in the catamaran fleet is father and son team, Martin and Carl Zimmerman who plan on joining the fleet on their Dart.

A competitive and colourful bunch of boats are anticipated to get a run in at the upcoming Flying Fifteen Nationals that starts on the Reconciliation Day and concludes next weekend.

For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or join the Facebook group.