Flying 15 Open at Middle Nene Sailing Club

Traditionally part of the Southern Travellers Series, the Flying 15 Open is a well-established event on the racing calendar, and with the corona restrictions over, the meeting was brought forward from October to June.

One of the great benefits of the new date is that the seaweed (an issue for all shallower lakes) is no longer a problem. This year’s event was only the second time it has been held in June and not every keen sailor has yet found space on his calendar to participate.

Middle Nene Flying 15 Open - photo © Wilf Kunze

But it was an enthusiastic fleet of seven boats which crossed the start line, kicking off a series of four closely contested races on Saturday, 11th and one on Sunday, 12th. This again was a break with the usual 3:2 race pattern to allow for the lighter winds forecast for the second day. The decision proved to be right, because whilst the first four races enjoyed a steady breeze of 20 to 25 knots from the north, the fifth round was sailed in very light winds that veered from north to south, making course-setting very difficult.

Middle Nene Flying 15 Open - photo © Wilf Kunze

For a few years now MNSC has allowed all categories of 15s in the club and thanks to visitors from nearby Broxbourne and as far afield as Ripon in Yorkshire there was a good spread of age in boats, ranging from 1155 ‘Squall’ (Graham and Alistair Lamond) as the oldest to 3873 ‘Cavalier’ (Neil Bartholomey/Gary Livingstone) the youngest boat. Despite the age differences in the hulls, in the end there was a single point separating place one and three, with 2433 ‘Hen’s Tooff’ (Mark Greer/Jim Reid) coming home second with the same points as the winner, but one retirement costing the lead.

Middle Nene Flying 15 Open - photo © Wilf Kunze

At the prize-giving on Sunday Graham Lamond, thanked MNSC on behalf of the visitors for their hospitality with evening BBQ, the very welcoming atmosphere and good, safe but exciting racing, organised by MNSC Commodore Tony Wright, who headed the race crew.

Overall winners Neil Bartholomey (right) and Graham Livingstone (left) with Commodore Tony Wright (centre) during the Middle Nene Flying 15 Open prizegiving - photo © Wilf Kunze

The next Flying 15 Open Meeting will be held in early June and it is hoped that an increasing number of sailors from the region will join in the racing. With no weed issues and a smooth new access road, MNSC in Thrapston is within easy reach of the entire Midlands area, just off Exits 12 and 13 of the A14. For campers, the club’s own site is an added bonus when visiting this very active club.

For further details see the club website www.middlenenesc.co.uk or the MNSC Facebook page. Please send enquiries to

Overall Results: