Ashore since Saturday, over 100 Flying fifteen sailors are waiting to see this morning if westerly gales at Hayling island have abated to allow the first race of the Flying fifteen British National Championships, a pre-cursor to Thursday's World championships. Ireland has six crews in attendance but Ken Dumpleton has stepped in to replace Jay Bourke who will not be sailing. Also out through injury is the National Yacht Club's Alan Green who planeed to sail with Brtitish favourite Charles Apthorp.
The race schedule has been moved one hour forward this morning and the HISC race management team are planning three trapezoid course in the 28-knot westerlies prevailing Full Met here.
Last night Hayling Island's Rear Commodore Anthony Penfold officially opened the Flying 15 National Championships at Hayling Island SC and welcomed the 200 competitors. The event has attracted entries from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong King, Ireland, France, Spain and Belgium as well as the United Kingdom.
In welcoming the visitors the Rear Commodore reminded them that HISC has a long and close history with the class, having an active Flying 15 fleet since 1949 and has hosted nine National Championships, a European Championship and last hosted the Worlds in 1980.
