The Flying Fifteen Spanish Open was held on the waters off Real Club Nàutic Puerto Pollença on October 3 and 4, 2026. It was organised by Real Club Nàutic Puerto Pollença, by delegation of the RFEV and with the authorisation of the Balearic Sailing Federation.
The regatta acted as a warm up regatta for the fleet taking part in the Flying Fifteen European Championship in Palma de Mallorca from Wednesday 7th to Saturday 10th October.
The forecast for the weekend was always going to be quite turbulent with heavy thunder storms forecast, accompanied by brief but heavy showers and spectacular lightning.
Puerto Pollenca is a beautiful place to sail at the Northern tip of the island of Mallorca and home to the Spanish Flying 15 fleet. The weather in Spring and Autumn there tends to be warm and muggy but can throw up all the extremes under the sun.
Three races were scheduled to be run out in the bay, the first of the day due to start at 12 noon but the resident race officer Maria had a very tricky job in trying to fit racing around tumultuous storms.
Fifteen boats representing Spain, Brasil, Great Britain, Germany and a handful of sailors from all parts of Europe came to compete in the weekend regatta which was aimed at fun but competitive racing.
Indeed the fleet included some past Olympic sailors, an ex F15 World Champion and National Champions in various classes. Also included was a local boat sailing with three crew to enjoy the regatta with the whole family.
The first race of the day did get started in about 12 - 15 knots of breeze but with some big wind shifts on a fairly calm sea. A few boats were a bit too eager getting caught out by the dreaded U flag.
With shifty conditions all over the windward / leeward course, places changed regularly and the fleet remained quite compact around all marks of the course.
Charles Apthorp, sailing with his son Charlie from Hayling Island SC in the UK, got away in the final downwind to take the first gun of the regatta. A local crew from CMSAP - C'an Pastilla, Victor Perez and Mark Branagh were a close second with more local sailors from the host club, Real Club Nàutic Puerto Pollença, Jonny Walker, crewed by a guest crew from Ireland, Chris Doorly finishing third.
There followed a short break to reset the course due to the wind shifting around the compass. The second race produced a clear start and a bit of a split in the fleet going upwind. By the fop mark the fleet re-converged with a close fought battle between three boats which was eventually won by Bernardo Arndt sailing with his son Marcus from Brasil.
Bernardo represented Brasil in the 470 Class at the Olympic Games some years ago but now enjoys sailing with his son Marcos, himself an established international sailor.
Former Snipe sailors Victor Perez and Mark Branagh crossed in second and Ralph Henning and Ivo Otamendi Henning sailing for RCNPP an excellent third place.
As the skies blackened the PRO Maria made the excellent decision to send the fleet ashore due to a storm rapidly approaching from the Tramuntana mountains.
The tail-enders got caught up in the torrential rain and several masts in the port were struck by lightning causing some fairly major damage but happily all Flying 15’s go ashore safely, all be it very damp.
When the storm subsided there was time for a gathering to sink a barrel of beer with some typical Mallorcan snacks.
Overnight there was more rain but by Sunday morning the skies were clearing and the wind dropped significantly to allow more races. Maria (PRO) left with a difficult task of setting a course with the wind swinging around to all directions on the compass!
Race 3 finally started around lunchtime in a light 10 - 12 knots from all over the place! The crews that best read the conditions were Brasilians Bernardo and Marcus, taking a second race win. Victor Perez and Mark Branagh finished in their customary second and Ralph and Ivo Henning third.
Poor Maria tried and tried but another two races were started but abandoned as the breeze failed to stay in the same direction and dropped at times to 0 knots!
Sadly by late afternoon time was up and the fleet had to go home to have time to pack their boats and head to Palma to prepare for the Europeans which starts on Wednesday based at a glamorous new marina at Club de Mar.
Final results;
https://regatas.rcnpp.club/es/default/races/race-resultsall?text=open-espana-flying-fifteen-es-2-es
Photo: Prize Giving at RCNPP c Spanish F15 Class
Regatta Report: Jonny Fullerton of Regatta Services