Flying Fifteen Open - 2023
9th-10th September 2023
By Sally McKee
Set in the glorious scenery of the Pennine hills the Dovestone Sc Open was held over a weekend of largely fabulous, sunny, hot, and humid weather. The duck and goose deposits had been scrubbed from the pontoons and extra moorings laid. On Saturday morning a light breeze had filled in by start time and competition got underway. 4065 David McKee and Mal Hartland lead at the first mark and managed to extend their lead for the win. Second placed 4005 Andrew McKee and Rich Jones were followed by 3805 Graham Massey and Lucy Clough. 4th Place went to 3332 John Hesten and Iain McNeill.
By now the sailors wilting in the heat but soon restored by the delivery by safety boat of ice lollies for all. The second race started in a fitful breeze. Andy and Rich glided away from the port end of the line to lead at the first mark from David and Mal followed by 3733 Mike and Sarah Harris. The wind became fickle however as it strengthened again David and Mal, then Andrew and Rich pulled away followed by Graham and Lucy who had a close tussle with Mike and Sarah until the finish. The classic 419 John Clarke and Alice Morris finished a superb 5th.
The fleet came ashore to cool down and refresh with tea and cakes.
The 3rd race saw another light wind start with the usual suspects at the front. Andrew and Rich made a brave move heading straight for the southern shore towards the swimmers and this paid off as they lead at the first mark. Whilst the wind faded for a while the spinnakers still flew providing a bright spectacle for the visitors around the reservoir who were probably enjoying the last scorcher of the year.
Following an excellent meal at the clubhouse the fleet returned on Sunday morning to more wind and slightly cooler temperatures. The wind had clocked round to the north and there were a few drops of rain at first. Andrew and Rich were fastest off the line and built a good lead to the finish, behind them the fleet spread out. Mike and Sarah were showing good consistency with a 5th to add to their two 4ths and fifth from yesterday. The final race saw a further change in wind direction, it was still fickle at the northern end of the reservoir John and Alice had a good first leg, rounding in 3rd place at the end of lap 1 $005 and 4065 were neck and neck around the course until a welcome gust saw 4065 sneak through to lead and managed to hold this till the end. 3236 Howard Wolstencroft and Dave Hill had their best finish in this race achieving a 6th.
The overall winners were 4065 David and Mal followed by 4005 Andrew and Rich. Third place went to 3805 Graham and Lucy. There were prizes for the 1st Silver boat 3332 John and Iain, 1st modern classic ( sail no 1001-2700) 1872 John Hughes and John Macdonald and for the first old classic ( sail no 0-1000) 419 John Clarke and Alice Morris.
The boats came ashore after a testing but enjoyable weekend's sailing in time for lunch, the prizegiving and a reasonably early start home for the visitors.
