KZN Flying 15 Regionals
Henley Midmar Yacht Club: 15 & 16 November
After the triumphant running of the 50th Flying 15 Nationals, the thriving local fleet will be heading to Henley Midmar Yacht Club for the upcoming KZN Flying 15 Regionals on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November.
It will be a mixture of experience and bold young blood that will be vying for the title at the regionals. Legends in the class, Patrick Harris and Jeremy Kriek have 13 National titles to their name, and an illustrious history with the regional championships. Pegged as contenders at the Nationals, Myles White and Estelle Buys who have been doing most of their sailing at Midmar recently, will also be lining up in the ‘ffrolic’ of flying 15s.
Hot contenders, Thomas Funke who will be partnering with Colin Becker, the pair have sailed the feisty 505s together claiming various titles in Durban. Funke has a decorated sailing cv in dinghy racing, while Becker has been competing on the much bigger yacht, CFM that has been raking in the awards over the last several sailing seasons.
Howick resident, Anton Ellens looks forward to welcoming the visiting sailors to his home ‘turf’. ‘Competing in the Nationals was a good learning curve. The last race for us was a good one. Conditions were lighter and we were in the front half of the fleet, earning a fifth place. For my age, the Flying Fifteen is a great boat with a lovely handicap.’
Ellens who has been a member of Henley Midmar for over half a century finished seventh overall in the Nationals that were sailed up at Aeolians on Vaal Dam last month. He will be taking to the water with his regular crew, Robert Finlay. The duo has been notching up quality time sailing together, participating in the biggest sailing event in the world together, the annual Bart’s Bash sailed in memory of Andrew Simpson, a British Olympic sailor. ‘We sailed over the weekend too and enjoy the club sailing on most weekends.’
With a twinkle in his eye, the tremendously experienced Midmar yachtie shared some insider knowledge when competing on the dam, ‘Simple – you follow your nose.’
To discover what he means, join the flotilla of Flying 15s at the upcoming KZN Flying 15 Regionals being hosted by Henley Midmar Yacht Club on 15 and 16 November.
Caption to pic:
Charging. Anton Ellens and Rob Finlay are pictured closest to camera as they lead the fleet at the recent Flying 15 Nationals, just behind them are Myles White and Estelle Buys with Thomas Funke sailing with his son Gust. Ellens and Finlay are hoping for home ground advantage in the upcoming KZN Flying 15 Regionals hosted by Henley Midmar Yacht Club on 15 and 16 November.
Pic by Geoff Walter
