Flying Fifteen Southern Traveller Series event at Middle Nene Sailing Club

A strong fleet of 16 boats (six visitors, ten local) arrived at the start line for the traditional Flying 15 Open Meeting at Middle Nene SC, which was held on 14th/15th June as part of the Southern Traveller Series.

The weather forecast of a lively weekend was spot-on and Race Officer Tony Wright had to allow for testing conditions with heavy gusts and up to 30 degree wind shifts throughout the Saturday, with somewhat easier conditions on Sunday morning. The RO had made full use of the beautiful lake and so the 15s could really live up to their name, literally 'flying' across the water in some spectacular scenes.

RO Tony Wright giving the initial briefing - Flying Fifteen Southern Travellers at Middle Nene - photo © David Livingstone

Saturday: blustery and challenging

Saturday delivered fresh to strong breezes, ranging from Force 3 to Force 5, pushing sailors' skills and boats to the limit. Three races were held in these brisk conditions. Gusts and shifts added an extra layer of challenge, with boat handling and tactical decision-making proving crucial.

John Hanson and Helen Selden (RYA, 4094) rose to the occasion, claiming two wins and a third to sit atop the leaderboard at the end of the day. Jeremy Arnold and Richard Hope (Draycote SC, 2646) sailed consistently to stay in close contention.

Several teams were caught out by the gusty conditions. Notably, a few DNS and DNF results hinted at gear issues and retirements across the fleet, underlining the testing nature of the day.

The three winners of the event - Flying Fifteen Southern Travellers at Middle Nene - photo © Tom Vessey

Sunday: lighter and tricky

Sunday brought a significant change, with reduced wind strength and more tactical racing. Lighter conditions made speed and clean air the focus. Two races were completed, rounding out a five-race series with one discard.

The lighter breeze allowed some of the mid-fleet boats to shine, with tighter racing and increased opportunities for overtaking. However, John Hanson and Helen Selden maintained their composure to finish with a strong set of results and secure the overall win. Jeremy Arnold and Richard Hope held on to second, while Mark Greer and Jim Reid (MNSC 2433) took third.

Trophies waiting to be won - Flying Fifteen Southern Travellers at Middle Nene - photo © David Livingstone

At the prize-giving MNSC Commodore Peter McCallum thanked the visitors from across the country for coming to Thrapston and bringing such a great range of boats from the Classic, Silver and Gold series, including the exceptionally well-preserved 485 from Plockton SBSC. The visitors, in turn, thanked their hosts for the friendly welcome, competent race management and the great catering, including the Summer BBQ on Saturday evening.

Flying 15s continue to be one of the most active fleets at Middle Nene SC and the next event is already planned for early June 2026, with details to be announced in good time. For any questions about this event please contact

Overall winners John Hanson and Hele Selden receiving trophies from Commodore Peter McCallum - Flying Fifteen Southern Travellers at Middle Nene - photo © David Livingstone

Overall Results:

RO Tony Wright checking the start line for the first race - Flying Fifteen Southern Travellers at Middle Nene - photo © Colin Clements