The first race of the Flying Fifteen world championship in South Africa on Sunday 1 April started at the fourth attempt. The early leader was Barry and Sue parkin (GBR) who started at the pin and worked out a 100m lead by the first mark. In second position at this stage was Grant Alderson and Dean McAullay (Aus), followed by Mike Hart and Chris Gowers (GBR) who had in fact been caught under the black flag. The wind fluctuated in the 4-8 knot range and moved around about a 50 degree range. Charles Apthorp and Andy Weatherspoon took the lead at the second weather mark after having ripped their spinnaker and then headed hard right to repair it. The Parkins dropped to seventh before picking boats off on the next round to take the lead again at the final wing mark. They led the race to the finish with Patrick Harris and Joe Boy (RSA) in second and Geoff and Tom Bayliss (GBR) in third.

The first Hong Kong boat was Howard Williams and Christian Donagh in seventh place, and Grant Alderson and Dean Mcaullay (AUS) followed in eight place. The first Irish boat was Darren Martin and Simon Murray in ninth place, and the first New Zealand boat was Aaron Goodmanson and Allister Rowlands in 14th. Eight boats in total fell foul of the black flag including regatta favourites Steve Goacher and Phil Evans (GBR) and Mike Hart and Chris Gowers (GBR).

A total of five protests were held following the racing. However, those protesting their disqualification under the black flag rule had their protests dismissed, but, as can be seen on the results sheets Charles Apthorp and Nils Bluman were given redress for a gybe mark replacement and were given 0 and 24 points respectively. Their placings still stand as fourth and 24th.

Results (provisional) Race 1

1st GBR 3630, Barry Parkin Sue Parkin

2nd RSA 3639, Patrick Harris Joe Boy

3rd GBR 3660, Geoffrey Bayliss Tom Bayliss

Race two – Monday 2 April

Race two of the 13th International Flying Fifteen Worlds Championship was sailed in a light southerly wind that gradually shifted around to the south-east and lightened.

After several delays and recalls the fleet got away and the early leader was HKG 3650 David and Joyce Thewliss closely followed by IRL 3621 Darren Martin and Simon Murray. Those who had chosen to go right (the popular option for the previous day) were left to chase.

On the second beat AUS 3718 Grant Alderson and Dean McAullay went right and climbed from fourth to first place. By now the wind was very light with boats hardly moving as they attempted to reach the finish. Second to finish was NZL 3544, Peter Dallimore and Richard Watkins. In third was GBR 3648 Mike Hart and Chris Gowers, and in fourth place, having gained several places and adding to their third the day before, were Geoff and Tom Bayliss (GBR).

Results (provisional) race two

1 AUS 3718 Grant Alderson and Dean McAullay MODERN

2 NZL 3544 Peter Dallimore and Richard Watkins MODERN

3 GBR 3648 Mike Hart and Chris Gowers MODERN

4 GBR 3660 Geoffrey and Tom Bayliss MODERN

5 GBR 3630 Barry and Sue Parkin MODERN

6 NZL 3094 Aaron Goodmanson and Allister Rowlands MODERN

7 AUS 3480 Ashley Smith and Jamie Thomson MODERN

8 NZL 3714 Rob Coutts and Nick Davenport MODERN

9 GBR 3721 Steve Goacher and Phil Evans MODERN

10 AUS 3663 Craig and Ian Rainey MODERN

11 GBR 3711 Alan Bax and Bill Masterman MODERN

12 GBR 3591 Charles Apthorp and Andy Weatherspoon MODERN

13 HKG 3610 Howard Williams and Christian Donagh MODERN

14 GBR 3615 Roger and Barbara Palmer MODERN

15 RSA 3639 Patrick Harris and Joe Boy MODERN

16 AUS 3717 Greg Leaversuch and Peter Barblett MODERN

17 GBR 3703 Chris Ducker and Richard Rigg MODERN

18 IRL 3621 Darren Martin and Simon Murray MODERN

19 GBR 3638 Howard Green and Ian Preston MODERN

20 GBR 3634 David Nicholls and Peter Wareham MODERN

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