Flying Fifteen Open at Bewl Valley Sailing Club

Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado win at Bewl Valley © Richard Greenwood

Twenty five boats from a total of ten different sailing clubs attended the 2009 Open Meeting at Bewl Valley sailing club near Lamberhurst in Kent. Visitors had travelled from as far away as Wndermere in the north, and Cowes in the south.

On the Saturday two races were sailed in very challenging conditions. The forecast 15 knot north westerly was about right for some of the time, but a number of squally showers struck during the afternoon with sun, rain and hail coming in quick succession, and gusts recorded of up to 37 knots.

The Race Officer laid a D-shaped course giving a long beat, a run, followed by two reaches separated by a spinnaker jibe, which provided some good entertainment in the gusts as the wind veered to and fro.

The Sunday proved a complete contrast with no wind at all and racing was abandoned.

The winning boat, taking firsts in both races and hence the overall prize, was from Hayling Island, sailed by Richard Lovering and Matt Alvarado. Interestingly their boat was powered by Hyde sails, not a sailmaker we associate with Flying Fifteens, but apparently Richard works for the company! Alan Bax and Steve Goacher take note perhaps?

The first Bewl Boat in the Main fleet came in second overall, sailed by Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan. Bewl boats won the Silver Fleet prize, (Thomas Wright and Richard Kingsnorth), and also the Classic Fleet, (Richard Smith and Michael Smith).

Overall Results: