Flying Fifteen Open at Burton Sailing Club

Burton Sailing Club Flying Fifteen Open © Isabel Hayball

Burton Sailing Club Flying Fifteen Open © Isabel Hayball

What a fantastic weekend we have enjoyed for the 2026 Flying Fifteen Open here at Foremark Reservoir. The wind arrived as forecast, with a challenging 15 knots, with gusts of 28+ knots arriving, as the fleet set about the first beat.

The course was set with a long beat, and equally long run, extending over a good portion of the reservoir.

Blackpool and Fleetwood's Rob Mountain with crew Chris Clancy, comfortably took the lead in Rob's Dads boat 'Maverick' The chasing fleet enjoyed some healthy competition as they tried to work out the best way up the beat. Burton's Tim Bird, with crew, Martin Nelson, managed to get the better of Scotlands, Plockton Small boat SC's pairing of Graham and Alasdair Sharp, in their stunning wooden Classic.

Rob and Chris continued their dominance in the second race, with Graham and Alasdair, getting the better of Tim and Martin on handicap to seal second place.

The third and final race of the day, saw a change of course to a windward leeward, as the wind eased to a more gentle breeze.

Graham and Alasdair, mastered the lighter air, and after handicap correction, took the top spot ahead of Tim and Martin, with Rob and Chris having to settle for third place.

After a fabulous evening of fun, food, entertainment and the odd tipple or two, it was back to business for the final two races of the weekend.

A long course was set, with challenging beats and screaming two and three sail reaches to really test the fleet.

Rob and Chris excelled in another morning of unpredictable shifts and varying gusts.

Michael Harris, sailing with crew, Jess Robert's, enjoyed a fantastic race in race four of the weekend, only to be pipped for second place after handicap correction, by Graham and Alasdair. Michael and Jess, having to settle for third.

Burton Sailing Club Flying Fifteen Open - photo © Isabel Hayball

Rob and Chris comfortably took the win in the final race, and although Tim and Martin put up a good fight to secure second on the water, it was not enough to seal the position after correction, from Graham and Alasdair.

The rest of the fleet, despite not making podium positions, enjoyed some exciting competition throughout, I'm sure some great rivalries were made, as capabilities were challenged, and positions were swapped throughout the weekend.

This Flying Fifteen Open is fast becoming one of the highlights of the sailing season here at Foremark Reservoir.

We very much look forward to welcoming you all again next year.

Massive thanks as always, to the army of volunteers, both on and off the water, that help to ensure that these events are a great success.

Overall Results: