Allspars Final Fling 2025 at the Royal Western Yacht Club
by Sam Hannaford 17 Oct 06:00 PDT
For the eighth-year running, The Royal Western Yacht Club hosted the annual Final Fling Dinghy Regatta, sponsored by Allspars.
Sailors from clubs all over the country came to compete in the two-day event. This years entry saw 81 boats, breaking the previous record from 2023 of 71 just minutes before the official entry closing time.
With boats launching from Queen Anne's Battery, Mount Batten and Turnchapel, everyone congregated within Plymouth National Marine Park. This year, we were joined by a fleet of Nacra 15s and Merlin Rockets to complete their own team racing within the Final Fling.
Saturdays conditions aligned with the forecast perfectly, which on this occasion was unfortunate! Race officer Jerry lock worked hard to track the shifting 2-3 knot zephyrs across the windward end of the course and settled into a southeasterly windward course under AP. The first start saw the 7 Nacra 15's set off first time in what was now around a 5 knot breeze which was beginning to flick left. Second away was the Fast Handicap fleet and as the countdown reached 30 seconds to go it was clear that there was an issue with almost 1/2 the fleet over. A general Recall was called and they went to the back of the queue.
The Southeasterly was now split with a Northeasterly further up the track but was going right again so Slow Handicap was sent away under black flag. It was not long into their first beat when it was decided to pull both races as the course had turned inside out and was now impossible to offer a fair race. Everyone took a deep breath and within the hour the breeze settled from the East which enabled the entire fleet to get 2 solid windward leeward races in with text book starting discipline under Black Flag.
Back from a couple of years absence due to conditions was the final race of the day, the 'Around the Breakwater Race'. Time was very tight but with just a minute to spare all 3 fleets were sent on a figure of eight course which would see them head out of the Sound via the Western Entrance, around the Breakwater, back in via the Eastern Entrance, then to a turning mark to the Northeast of Drakes Island and onwards to a beat into the club finish line.
Although finishing in the dark for some (Each with a safety boat next to them as they made their way to the finish) everyone enjoyed the welcome return of this unique race. That evening the Club was packed with stories from the day and all enjoyed a happy hour (or two) courtesy of Allspars, our very generous long-term Sponsors of the event.
Sunday saw a similar early-morning welcome of very light Northeast to Southeast oscillating breeze which was enough to challenge the very best particularly when it comes to race management. Patience is a virtue, and this is something the race officer has in abundance. His patience was rewarded, again after a short postponement, with a solid 80 degree breeze which once laid the windward course bearing didn't move for the entire duration of the days racing.
Race one of the day was to be the lightest conditions. The Nacras were once again opening the days racing and even managed to get around the entire windward leeward course in super quick time causing some issues for themselves and Fast handicap as the leaders went through the fast handicap start line within 5 seconds of the start! Excellent knowledge of the rules coupled with extremely good time on distance sailing allowed racing to continue for both classes without incident and all fleets enjoyed a good race 4 of the series.
Following an extension of the outer windward course to avoid further startling issues, race 5 saw a stiffening breeze reaching 18-20 knots. A number of tiring crews took a dip, some more than others, and all were glad to take a breather afterwards as the Brittany Ferry entered the Sound dead on 1330hrs. Once cleared the Nacra 15s and fast handicap fleets were sent out around the breakwater once again for the last race of their series.
Some issues beyond the sailors control in an earlier race in the day meant that the slow handicap were held back to complete 2 further windward leewards to ensure that a full and fair series was completed and with the conclusion of both courses this years Allspars Final Fling came to an end.
Once the shore team delivered everyone's trailers to them as they arrived to Queen Annes Battery Marina and the Nacras headed to Mount Batten, the crews then gathered back at the Royal Western Yacht Club for the prize-giving.
Commodore Adrian Gray gave thanks to everyone competing over the weekend, followed by
Race director, Sam Hannaford, who thanked the tireless efforts of all the helpers both on the water and ashore, and went on to announce the top placings whilst Race officer Jerry Lock gave out the goodies. A number of sports prizes, which has become a tradition for the Final Fling along with many other events held at the RWYC, were also handed out to the unsuspecting winners.
Again, Allspars provided a 'treasure chest' of prizes and class awards were also made to the Merlin Rockets for their end of season 'Silver Tiller' awards along with the Nacra 15s holding their Nationals and seasons awards.
Once again, this event is hugely supported by multiple organisations and special thank you goes out to Plymouth University, Twisted Marine, Plymouth Marine Centre and Hooe Point Sailing for their contributions towards making the 2025 Allspars Final Fling such a successful event.
Plans are already being made to make next year even better, so see you all next October where we will be aiming to hit 100 entries for the 9th edition of the Allspars Final Fling.