Flying Fifteen Title Goes to Goacher & Evans

19th July 2013

#flyingfifteen – The sunshine beamed down again, but on whom would fortune smile in this final day of the UKGLOBAL Flying Fifteen National Championship?

For the first time, the fleet left Portland Harbour for Weymouth Bay. Winds started at NE 8 kts, moving round to SE as the day progressed.

The first race started after a couple of general recalls, and after a light first beat, the leaders were father and son combination Graham and Ben Scroggie. They only joined the class last year, and were sailing in their just launched, brand new, boat. Graham, 73, had won a Merlin Championship here 15 years ago, and seemed to remember his way round the course! Under much pressure, they defended their lead to take first place, ahead of championship contenders Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado in second, with Alan Bax/ James Grant taking third. The race win for father and son Graham and Ben emphasised the family nature of the Flying Fifteen class, and also showed how newcomers to the class can do very well against longer standing members.

The second race was soon under way, and this time all three of the main contenders for the Championship were at the front. Championship leader Steve Goacher/ Phil Evans led for much of the race, but were keeping a very close eye on Lovering/ Alavarado. Meanwhile the other contenders, Mike Hart/ Jeremy Davy slipped through to take this final race, with Goacher/ Evans second and Scroggie/ Scroggie third to earn the best pair of results today.

But Goacher/ Evans' secure second place gave them the National Championship by seven points. Goacher and Evans added the 2013 Nationals title to a long number of titles in this class, and they demonstrated the merits of a settled partnership of helm and crew. Just to rub in their years in the class, Goacher and Evans also received a trophy for best pair of over 100 years combined age. Mike Hart and Jeremy Davy's second win of the week took them up into second place overall, with Lovering/ Alvarado third.

Results
Race 8
1. Graham and Ben Scroggie, Parkstone YC
2. Richard Lovering/ Matt Alavarado, Hayling Island SC
3. Alan Bax/ James Grant, Hayling Island SC
Race 9
1. Mike Hart/ Jeremy Davy, Hayling Island SC
2. Steve Goacher/ Phil Evans, Royal Windermere YC
3. Scroggie and Scroggie, Parkstone YC

Final Championship positions overall
1. Goacher/ Evans, 16pts
2. Hart/ Davy, 23pts
3. Lovering/ Alavarado, 24.4pts
4. Bax/ Grant, 37pts
5. Ian Cadwallader/ Dave Sweet, 39pts

Published in Flying Fifteen

Tagged under

Flying fifteen

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