#flyingfifteen – John Lavery of the National Yacht Club marked his return to the Irish Flying Fifteen circuit with a win at the southern championships at Dundalk Sailing Club on Carlingford Lough at the weekend. While there was a small enough turnout of 13 boats there was a tight finish at the top of the fleet after four races.

Sailed in everything from 20–knot gusts on Saturday to less than 5 knots and 2–knot tides on Sunday, visiting race officer PJ Gault from Strangford Lough did well to complete the series given the unpredictability of the south westerly conditions.

Lavery, sailing with David O'Brien, finished with a 1,2,2 but second and third overall were decided only on the tie break rule with Strangford's Andrew McCreery and Colin Dougan counting a 1,3,4 but earning the runner–up slot from clubmate's Roger Chamberlain and Hamo Baker on the same score.

The full results of the Flying fifteen 2014 Southern Regatta are available to download below.

The next event for the 'ffers' is next month's Northern Championship at Cushendall SC from June 14/15.  The Championship of Ireland is also heading North to Portaferry SC on Strangford Lough from August 22-24. The season conlcudes with the East Coast Championship in Dun Laoghiaire, at the National YC from October 4/5

#flyingfifteen – On the eve of its Southern championships in Carlingford and on a beautiful warm summer evening with a variable s-se breeze twelve Flying Fifteens from the National Yacht Club took to the Bay last night for DBSC Thursday evening. Chris Doorly/Alan Green took the gun in Frequent Flyer IRL 3970 followed by Tom Galvin in IRL 3757.

PRO Jack Roy and his team set a great but challenging course around the Bay. After a frantic start bunched at the committee boat end most of the fleet headed in towards the shore out of the strong incoming tide. At the first weather mark Alan Dooley/ Joe Hickey lead the way followed by guest helm Geraldine O'Neill with Ben Mulligan and Michael McCambridge/ Peter Murphy in third with Doorly/Green back in sixth place. This is how it remained till the last long beat from Pier mark up to Island mark.

The first three headed in out of the tide but the winds were lighter inshore, IRL 3970 headed out to sea followed by 3757 on a shift and found more wind. On arrival at the mark those who went in were nowhere to be seen and these first two had a sizable lead. That's how it remained till the end with Dooley in third place followed by Adrian Cooper in fourth. 

DBSC Thursday results here.

#flyingfifteen – National Flying fifteen champions Ian Mathews and Keith Poole were dismasted during a breezy start to the Dublin Bay season last weekend. It's a set back in preparations for this weekend's first regional Flying fifteen event at Dundalk Sailing Club on Carlingford Lough which the duo are still expecting to contest.

The National Yacht Club pair, who won the national championships in Dunmore East last season, broke a stay leaving them looking for a replacement spar for the County Louth fixture. Sailing Instructions for the event are downloadable below.

Up to 30 boats are expected on the northern lough on Saturday for a five race event that is forecasted to be a light air event.

Meanwhile, there was an early start to the season for a number of Irish FF sailors who travelled to Palma Vela regatta, held in Mallorca a fortnight ago. The National Yacht Club's Alan Green sailing with Michael Clough was the winner of the Flying Fifteen division. Irish crews Simon Murray, Chris Doorly and Ken Dumpleton were also racing in Spain.

In buoyant times for the class, the Kia sponsored Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet continues to expand with a number of new boats to the fleet as well as some crews upgrading their boats. For the first time in a long number of years the fleet has expanded to include boats in the DMYC. More on the FF fleet expansion here

Flying fifteen duo Ian Mathews and Keith Poole secure their boat after a dismasting in DBSC racing last weekend

#flyingfifteen – The Kia sponsored Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet continues to expand with a number of new boats to the fleet as well as some crews upgrading their boats. For the first time in a long number of years the fleet has expanded to include boats in the DMYC. 

Current National champions Ian Mathews and Keith Pool may not have it all their own way with some new boats making an appearance on the bay with David Mulvin, Gerry Donleavy and the Niall Meagher all in new boats. Dave Gorman and Chris Doorly are also returning this season.

The class are also forging links with Bray and Greystones where they hope to participate in the local regattas with the view of holding regional events at these venues in the future.

The regional events take place in some of the most beautiful places in the country, Carlingford, Cushendall and Dublin Bay with the Championships of Ireland taking place in Portaferry, Strangford Lough in August.

The events this year count as a qualification for the next World Championships which take place at Hyeres in the south of France in 2015.

In what is sure to be a fantastic event the European Championships take place at the Royal Club Nautica Pollenca in Mallorca in September. 

Flying Fifteens, the most fun you can have with your keel on!

This 20-foot long international sportsboat is the largest one–design keelboat class in Dublin Bay. Check out all the latest Flying Fifteen News.

What Is a Flying Fifteen?

The Flying Fifteen is a high-performance planing boat which is now one of the most popular one–design keelboat class in the world. (The "fifteen" refers to its waterline length.) It is capable of some 14 knots on a reach without the problems arising from capsize or trapeze and is easily transportable and stored. It is arguably the safest, most exciting small yacht available. Mixed crews are common.

The boat can be trailed behind a small family car and can be launched off a slip. At a glance:

The Flying Fifteen was designed in 1947 by the famous British yacht designer Uffa Fox and has since become the largest fixed-keel class in the world with over 4000 boats. 

The Flying Fifteen is also the largest one–design keel boat class in Dublin Bay with regular turnouts of 18 plus boats on Thursday evenings and Saturdays.

There are 4 regional events held each year. The Regional events are held in such locations as Kinsale, Dunmore East and Westport.

The East Coast Championships are being held in Dun Laoghaire on the 5th and 6th of October 2013 with more than 40 boats expected.

All levels are catered for with prizes for winners of the gold, silver and bronze fleets.

Dun Laoghaire Fleet members have also travelled to World and European events. There is either a World or European event each year. European events have been held in such places as Majorca, La Rochelle, Lake Garda and Kinsale. World Championships have been held in UK, Dun Laoghaire, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The Flying Fifteen was first sailed in Dun Laoghaire in 1972 and has thrived since then. Some of the sailors are second generation, with new members joining the fleet each year. The fleet recognises the importance of the social side to sailing and organises family days, fleet dinners and fun races, culminating in the annual dinner and prizegiving in November each year.

The Dun Laoghaire fleet is delighted to announce that KIA Motors has agreed to sponsor the fleet. Kia's strap line "the power to surprise " is very appropriate when describing the Flying Fifteen.

Whats Been Happening?

There is always something going on in the world of sailing, here we follow all the latest news that is going on in the sailing world of the Flying Fifteens. Check out all the latest Flying Fifteen News.

Flying Fiftteen - The History

The Flying Fifteen was originally designed by the legendary Uffa Fox, the 6m (20ft) craft has maintained its reputation as an exciting and competitive two-man racing craft. It provides access to Sailing at reasonable prices for men and women from 15 to 75 and beyond.

Irish National Flying Fifteen Champions

1974 E.Sheehy KYC
1975 J,Lowry Mrs.J.Lowry CSC
1976 N.Watson KSC
1977 E.Gilmore KSC
1978 D.Tucker KYC
1979
1980 J.McCann SLYC
1981 C.Simmonds
1982 J.Rodgers KSC
1983 J.Millar KSC
1984 P.Morrison M.Gotral
1985 A.Bax NSC
1986 R.Bannon NYC
1987 J.Millar I.Coryn "Tie"
Trophy presented by to Flying Fifteen Association by Mr & Mrs Olaf Sorenson
1988 The Real Thing G.Dunleavy D.O'Brien NYC
1989 Lethal Weapon J.Millar C.Coffey CSC
1990 Mind Over Matter G.Dunleavy M.Conway
1991 Cunning Stunt I.Claever D.Shellcock
1992 Ruffa Gruffa J.Thomson M.Brown
1993 Newform J.Millar S.Penney KSC
1994 Going Grey G.Reilly D.Morrison SSC
1995 Forrader IV B.Falet I.Coryn RN&SYC
1996 Zimner J.Rodgers S.McCarthy PSC
1997 Tender Wood B.McKee Bob Gilmore SLYC
1998 Awesome J.Lavery G.Dunleavy NYC
1999 Ffangs J.Burke A.Green NYC
2000 J.Lavery G.Dunleavy NYC
2001 G.Dunleavy D.Gorman NYC
2002 J.Burke B.Canton NYC
2003 J.Lavery D.O'Brien NYC
2004 D.Martin S.Murray SLYC
2005 M.Hart T.Hall PDSC
2006 M.Sheehy A.Green KYC
2007 D.Martin S.Murray SLYC
2008 D.Gorman C.Doorly NYC
2009
2010 D.Martin S.Murray SLYC
2011 D.Gorman C.Doorly NYC
2012 J.Lavery D.O'Brien NYC

Frequently Asked Questions about Flying Fifteens

What is the cost of a good competitive boat? 

A good competitive boat costs between €5,000 and €7,000

Are older boats less competitive than new boats? 

No, boats of 10 years and older regularly win events.

Where can I try a Flying Fifteen? 

The fleet runs open days and opportunities to sail a Flying Fifteen. See the fleet’s website   www.flyingfifteen.ie for details             

Will I get support if I buy a Flying Fifteen?

Yes, the fleet provides training sessions on the water, boat tuning sessions and rules lectures.

#weymouth – Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy has had an outstanding summer one year on from being the host venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Academy has been the chosen venue for many National Championships this summer, thriving in the wake of the Olympics.

The Flying Fifteen National Championships, Topper National Championships, Miracle Nationals, Hurricane National Championships, and also World Championships including the Dragon fleet and the RS Tera Fleet, have all relished the facilities of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

The UK GLOBAL Flying Fifteen National Championships kicked off the summer with their National Championships in July, where 40 boats competed, including visitors from France and Australia. Richard Jones, Flying Fifteen Publicity Officer commented, "The event was a great success and the Flying Fifteen Class thoroughly enjoyed sailing in the wake of Olympic champions."

WPNSA also welcomed one of Britain's most traditional sailing classes, the Miracle Class, for their National Championships in August, with 10 races held over 6 days at the Academy. Sam Meetam, Championship Co-ordinator commented, 'The venue caters well for a traditional class, the facilities are excellent and the choice of bay or sheltered harbour suits well, the venue has an excellent reputation for race management, and they provided perfect set courses for the fleet.'

The RYA Zone Championships took place from the 28th – 29th September. Chris Atherton, Royal Yachting Association, High Performance Manager for the South and South West spoke about the conditions at the Academy. "The sailing inside Portland Harbour offers good, fair racing where the conditions are not too tidal, which is ideal racing for junior sailors for many of whom the 2013 RYA Zone and Country Championships will be their first major event on the RYA Racing circuit."

Many top International Sailing Classes have reserved dates for 2014 National Championships, and key dates for next year at Weymouth will be released in December.

Peter Allam, Chief Executive of WPNSA, is ensuring a sustained approach to attracting important national based events to the Academy on an annual basis, "The Academy has been graced with some very high profile global regattas, which is extremely pleasing. Our on-going ability to host major events for junior and youth sailors is an extremely important role for the Academy. We are very proud to play a part in the development of UK sailing talent and are privileged to witness the progress made as young sailors move from Zone Squads on up through the ranks."

The Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland has published its calendar of championship fixtures for 2014. Provisional dates are as follows:

17/18 May Northern Championships – Cushendall SC

14/15 June Southern Championships – Carlingford YC

22-24 Aug Championship of Ireland – Portaferry SC – To be confirmed

4/5 Oct East Coast Championship - National YC

The class is looking forward to building on strong event turnouts., 30 boats entered at the National Championship in Waterford Harbour SC in 2013 and 33 teams competing for the Kia East Coast Championship in Dún Laoghaire.

#Flyingfifteen – Irish national Flying Fifteen champions Ian Mathews and Keith Poole outwitted visiting former world champion Charles Apthorp to win a tightly fought East Coast championships on Dublin Bay this afternoon. Only one point separated the top three boats in a five race Kia motors sponsored series managed by London 2012 race officer Jack Roy.

The 35–boat fleet series enjoyed a range of light to medium winds for the season closer at the National Yacht Club.

Its the second championship win for Mathews and Poole who took the national title in Waterford a month ago.

Full results downloadable below as a jpeg file.

#flyingfifteen – The National Yacht Club's Ian Mathews and Keith Poole who were crowned Flying Fifteen Irish champions in Dunmore East, County Waterford a month ago will race on their home waters of Dublin Bay tomorrow in the KIa motors sponsored end of season East coast Championships. A 30–boat fleet will gather at the NYC for the two day event that inlcudes a strong contingent from Strangford lough. Race officer is London 2012's Jack Roy of the host club.

#flyingfifteen – The National Yacht Club's Ian Mathews and Keith Poole overcame strong challenges for the Irish Flying Fifteen title in Waterford Harbour today when consistent sailing paid off for the Dun Laoghaire duo who overtook clubhouse leaders Strangford's Roger Chamberlain and Charlie Horder to lift the keelboat trophy by a single point.

Mathews and Poole did not win any single race of the series but finished each round of the seven race fixture in the top five. On the crucial final day they counted to second places to oust Chamberlain from the top spot in the 30–boat fleet.

Third overall was visiting UK pairing Andy and Anthony Osman from Poole Harbour in Dorset.

Full results downloadable below as a jpeg file.