‘Sailing at its best!’ These were the words of Durban’s Campbell Alexander after competing in the Flying Fifteen World Champs hosted by Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in the UK.

Waving the flag for Point Yacht Club, Royal Natal Yacht Club and Henley Midmar Yacht Club and South Africa, this is Alexander’s third Flying Fifteen regatta. His first in Ireland in 2017 where he came 15th overall with Dave Herridge. Now racing with Cape Towns, Ralph Thomas, this is their second world champs together.

In 2023, they finished 23rd in Freemantle, Australia with a fleet of 76 participating. This time, in a fleet of 82, Alexander and Thomas finished 26th overall. They were the only sailors from this continent.

Four continents were represented, with sailors travelling from Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia and from all around Europe. The British weather gods dished up a variety of conditions. Sailing in 20 knots of breeze and in heavy rolling swells to the breeze petering out and becoming quite flukey towards the end of the week.

Both share their disappointment with their result, yet Alexander was pleased to come second in his age group. He’s 71. ‘We were slightly off the pace. Ralph and I enjoy the heavier weather when we go very quickly. On the first day we got two good scores because the wind was blowing. In race seven we were in the hunt alongside the top contenders and finished 11th gaining a few positions going right. In the next race, on the last beat, we chose right again as it looked like the breeze was filling in from that side, but this time we lost over 20 places. One mistake and you are cooked!’

Thomas pitched in. ‘The whole event was fantastic. The Race Officer was vastly experienced, to the team on the ground well organised. Everything great. We had some good results and some bad results, some ups and downs. I was really hoping for a top 20 finish.’

The British team that took the overall honours will climb onto the top step of the podium for the sixth time on the trot. Graham Vials and Chris Turner earned six first places and a second place with their two race discards being a fifth and a sixth place. ‘

Not going home empty handed, Alexander was acknowledged for finishing second in his age category. Alexander now 71, is a regular competitor in both the ILCA Grandmasters World Champs and recently, the Flying Fifteens Worlds. 

Next year, the Europeans will be held in Palma, Spain, with the next World Champs taking place in Hong Kong. ‘It will then move to back Europe – Cannes in France. The good news is Durban is pencilled in for hosting the Flying Fifteen Worlds in 2031,’ said a delighted Alexander who proudly advocates for Durban as one of the best sailing venues in the world.

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