Tally Hobbs is the man responsible for introducing the Flying Fifteen class to Western Australia and each year a regatta is held in his honour. For the first time in many years, South of Perth boats filled the first 4 places overall with some masterful displays of heavy air sailing for the final 3 races on Sunday afternoon although it has to be acknowledged that a small quirk in the notice of race making all races to count may have adjusted the order somewhat.
The regatta started on Saturday afternoon with a moderate westerly, an enthusiastic fleet of 14 boats and some very close racing after which Nick and Brad held a strong position with Greg and Mike second. The breeze kicked up a few notches on Sunday with 27 knots recorded on the start boat it was not for the faint of heart. Several capsizes and a lot of flapping dacron dotted the race course. John Wilson tested a theory that the river crustaceans were attracted to fluro yellow spinnaker cloth and Matt wasn’t looking any lighter at the end of the day so maybe it worked!
Greg and Mike (The Answer) were first overall followed by Nick and Brad ( Ineffable ) and John and Kevin (Final Fifteen). A full list of results can be found on the club website under Special Events for Off The Beach Boats.
Thanks to those hardy souls on the start and rescue boats who guided and guarded the fleet in some pretty uncomfortable conditions.
The 2020 part of our season was finished off with dinner in the Wardroom where the wine and stories flowed and some tired bodies staggered home. The Flying Fifteen fleet would like to wish every member a Merry Christmas and we’ll be back for more in 2021.
Jen Sims captured the winners in a good mood. From left to right: Nick Jerwood, Brad Sheridan, Mike Dunbar (or someone who looks like him!), Greg Tonnison and John Hassen
