20th&21st June 2009
Eleven Flying Fifteens Classics and Silvers entered the Flying fifteen Cardiff Open with visitors from as far as Northampton to fight it out for the famous Dragon trophy.
Six races over the two days with some great tussles.
Day 1 Race 1
Race officer team Helen and Andrew Phillips patiently waited for the wind to settle in shifty F3/F4 before starting race 1.
With all boats pushing hard for the line we saw some interesting and competitive jostling with World Classic champions Simon Dangerfield/ Dave Hemingway
in 2663 and Ian Horton/Nathan Bailey in 2655 both OCS. Horton returned but Dangerfield carried on this left early leaders John Craddock and Kendal Paul in 2695 to fight it out with Neil and Stuart Bartholomey with the Bartholomeys’ eventually winning and Horton/Bailey third just passing Nick Sawyer/Simon Thomas on the last run.
In R2 more pushing the line with Sawyer/ Thomas, Mike Jones/ Gilles Yzambart and once again Horton/Bailey OCS, all went back. The Bartholomeys in 2700 lead the race for most of the way being pipped on the last lap by Dangerfield Hemingway for line honours with Horton/Bailey third.
R3 The now familiar pushing the line keeping the race officers busy, this time several boats over and a general re-call.
Dangerfield Hemingway 1st Bartholomeys second 2nd Horton/Bailey 3rd
R4
A port biased line and big wind shifts caused tough jostling for position. 2700 Bartholomeys and other boats were sailed outside the ODM starting last. Whilst the fleet followed the predictable and paying left side of the course the Bartholomeys were forced to go right and picked up a big wind shift as the wind moved to the NW making it first to the windward mark, with Craddock/Paul in second.
Eventually Dangerfield/Hemingway sailed their way to the front
Beer and a meal followed in the clubhouse and an entertaining evening.
Day 2
Race 5
The race officers gave Bill Turton in 2492 special permission to change his crew. Being Sunday his son in law Roger who is a member of the clergy had to go to work.
In Light winds at F2 forecast the race order was speculated to change and indeed it did. Craddock/Paul winning ahead of Dangerfield/ Hemingway Horton/Bailey third.
Final race 6. Two boats OCS and once again Dangerfield/Hemingway taking line honours followed by Craddock/Paul and Horton/Bailey
Final result
1. 2663 Dangerfield/Hemingway
2. 2695 Craddock/Paul
3. 2700 Bartolomey/ Bartholomey
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