Flying 15 South African National Championship at Aeolians Club - Preview

The chase is on. Myles White and Estelle Buys reel in Rob and Iain Bowman during a previous Flying 15 Nationals offshore of Durban. White and Buys will be hoping to better their second last year at the upcoming Flying 15 Nationals hosted by Aeolians © Sophie Thompson

On the run. Campbell Alexander (obscured) and Chris Clark are pictured gliding behind a swell at a previous Flying 15 Nationals held offshore of Durban. Alexander will be one of the sailors vying for the title at the upcoming Flying 15 Nationals being hos © Sophie Thompson

A scattering of top South African sailors will be converging at the Vaal Dam to compete in the annual Flying 15 Nationals on the 18 and 19 October, hosted by Aeolians in the North Bay.

The event that was first sailed in 1973 will be celebrating its 50th running of this classic regatta this year, with only 3 years along the way that racing didn't take place - 1989, 2018 and 2019 The honours board reveals some colourful characters from over the years, including some well-known South African yachtsmen who have had great success internationally.

Featuring names like Nhlanhla 'Lucky' Phakathi who was a crewmember on the SA Agulhas II that discovered Shackleton's boat, 'Endurance' and the Danish Royal sailing coach, Lauritz Walsoe has competed in an offshore event in Durban. After finishing 15th in the 2019 Worlds off Dun Laoghaire, one time National winner in 1987 - Dave Herridge, enamoured by the capability of boat, built a new craft from scratch and races it competitively with his young son Torben.

After the recent Flying 15 Worlds Regatta held in August in Weymouth in the United Kingdom, an announcement that Durban was pencilled in to host the 2031 World Championships, the local class has seen a growing demand for Flying Fifteens, and a number of older boats have been refurbished and reintroduced back into racing.

Over the years, dominating the class are Royal Natal Yacht Club's Patrick Harris and Jeremy Kriek. Hillcrest's Harris first won the title in 1996, sailing then with Paul Cawdron. He won the title three times with Cawdron and once with Janine Howard who is now his wife. Kriek from Westville first got his taste of victory at the turn of the century, sailing with Peter Morgenrood. A year after hosting the World Champs in 2001, the Harris / Kriek combo emerged shortly before claiming their first victory in 2002 and since then have graced the top step of the podium an impressive 13 times. Another sailor whose name is repeatedly engraved on the majestic trophy is Mike Wright who has won the event ten times, dominating from 1978 to 1992. Wright remained very competitive up until recent years.

Lining up on the start line, the one design fleet will have a mixture of hulls some of the latest carbon boats taking on the fibreglass boats from the same mould, while there will be a most welcome return of a number of the older GRP beauties. Included in the line-up is the boat that won the last two Nationals, 55. In 2023 decorated dinghy sailor, Rudy McNeill together with up-and-coming yachtie, Aaron Ward took the title followed by brothers Thomas and Peter Funke earning the 2024 trophy. Next weekend (18 & 19 October), 55will be sailed by her new owner, Johannesburg based Alex Schon under her new name - 55 Snakes Alive, the quirky Bingo expression.

The class newcomer, Schon has been to two Viper 640 World Championships regattas, being Perth in 2018 and in Long Beach in 2019. Schon shared, 'This is my first foray into sailing the F15. As of today, I have not sailed the boat yet, so on the way to the start will most likely be my first taste. When I heard that the F15 Nationals were to be held at the Vaal, I became interested in buying a boat. So, here I am, ready for a new adventure. I am seriously looking forward to it!'

Thomas will be returning to defend his title. He has had a busy sailing year, competing in the Mirror Africa Champs and Marriott Mirror Worlds held offshore of Durban in April with his son Kai and placing an amazing third in the world; followed by winning the 505 North Vaal Champs and Nationals sailed with Peter and then Barts Bash, the biggest sailing event in the world. Most recently he competed in the Hunter KZN Regionals with his sons Gust and Kai. Joining him for this outing will be older son, Gust. Beaming, Thomas mentioned, 'This Nationals, it is going to be a father and son team. Being able to share my passion with my boy, truly is special and I am so proud of all they have achieved.'

Tight racing, Rob and Iain Bowman and Dominic and Marco Collettt charge towards the next mark during a previous Flying 15 Nationals. A strong fleet from Durban will be heading up to the Vaal in the hopes of keeping the trophy secure in KZN - photo © Sophie Thompson

Kloof's very own Campbell Alexander is raring to go after a remarkable result at the Weymouth Flying 15 World Champs in August. Sailing with Ralph Thomas, the team finished 26th in a fleet of 82 and Alexander came second in his age group. This time, Alexander will be supported by Debbie Cox. 'We are in for a cracker event. On paper, Myles and Estelle are in the lineup to win on dam but they will be up against some tough competition.'

So far, confirmed entries are: six vessels making the trek up to the Vaal from KZN, including Harris and Kriek; the Funkes; Myles White and Estelle Buys; Alexander and Cox with two Henley Midmar Yacht Club entries, helms Anton Ellens and Peter Goble. The up-country contingent includes renowned sailor David Rae crewing with Schon. Jeremy Tucker and Pierre van Rensburg will be sailing under the DAC burgee and Dirk Manten sailing for SPYC.

October traditionally delivers the best winds of the year on Vaal Dam, so this regatta includes all the ingredients for a truly memorable Flying 15 Nationals to celebrate the fiftieth on 18 and 19 October.

For more info, you can visit the classes website www.revolutionise.com.au/saflyingfifteen

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