Flying 15 New Zealand National Championship and World Championship Qualification Regatta

The long tow out – 2007 Nationals Nelson. Source Sarah Kiff

For my summer break this year I am heading to the Bay of Islands to compete in the Flying 15 New Zealand Nationals Champs and  World Championship Qualification regatta.

Gybe mark, 2009 World Championship Melbourne

The Flying Fifteen was designed by the legendary Uffa Fox, the one-design 6m (20ft) Flying Fifteen is an exciting and competitive two-person racing yacht which is now the most popular one design keel-boat class in the world with around 4000 boats. (The 'fifteen' refers to its waterline length.). It is capable of some 14 knots on a reach without the problems arising from capsize or trapeze and is easily transportable and stored. It is arguably the safest, most exciting small yacht available. Mixed crews are common and have twice won the world championship

I will be skippering for my beloved  better half Neil Easton, Expedition Coppelia’s electronic engineer. Last year, Neil and I finished 7th at the FF nationals, however the wind conditions suited us, with most of the regatta being sailed in more than 15 knots. This year the Bay of Islands may not be so kind, so it is time for discipline at the dinner table!

Check out the report on the regatta:
http://www.sail-world.com/NZ/2011-Flying-Fifteen-Nationals-and-Worlds-Qualifiers-in-Bay-of-Islands/78286