Apthorp hangs in there

A final report from the Flying Fifteen Nationals

For the first time since Sunday the sun shone but the breeze held up. With the Championship still to be decided Charles Apthorp had to prevent Steve Goacher from winning the final race; the pre-start proved decisive as Apthorp hunted Goacher along the line to prevent him getting a good start. Both therefore started well back but the
Championship was by then decided!!

Goacher worked his way up the fleet enough to worry Apthorp who could only watch from behind. Simon Kneller led for most of the race but was overtaken by Alan Bax at the end of the run. Goacher was unable to get past Alan Bax, Simon Kneller and Mike Hart and had to be content with 4th place. Apthorp was therefore able to discard his 8th, his worst result of the week.

Apthorp/Green with three race wins won the title 5.3 points ahead of Goacher sailing with Justin Chisholm and then Richard Rigg. Alan Bax/Paul Busby by winning the last race were third overall only 0.4 behind Goacher. Mike Hart/Tim Hall finished 4th overall with 37.5 with a clear gap over the rest of the fleet.

Only two boats sailed in the Silver Fleet with Kenny Leask/ Trina Coyne from the Shetlands in ff 2984 getting the better of Roland Antonelli/Andy Cross from Carsington, ff 3164.

In the Classics, Stuart and Jennifer Jones did not sail the final two races having secured the Championship with six straight wins. David Flint/David Hemingway won the last race to take 2nd overall. Graham Lamond/Scott Train with a very steady week came third overall.

A very successful Event with excellent, competitive sailing with good even strong winds throughout the week. The sun even shone on the last day! Thanks are due to the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club for their hospitality and for providing a high standard of Race Management.

Photos by Turtle Photography