GJW Direct Firefly Open at Royal Harwich Yacht Club

The 'podium' at the Firefly GJW Direct Open at Royal Harwich © Abigail Greaves

The recently refurbished Royal Harwich Yacht Club hosted the latest round of the GJW Direct Firefly series over the weekend of 28th & 29th June. The club and new clubhouse were welcoming, but the light winds and intermittent thunderstorms were a little more foreboding. Nevertheless Saturdays racing got underway after the usual briefing to explain the challenging and varied courses.

The six visiting and two local boats immediately commenced the close tactical battle that typifies Firefly racing. Jane and Stuart Hudson managed to squeak into the lead with locals Alex Davey and Izzy Taylor Jones in hot pursuit. They finished in that order with Steve Greaves and Caroline Edwards sailing through to grab 3rd at the last.

The same three boats filled the top three spots for the next race, but with Greaves / Edwards first, followed by the Hudsons and Davey / Taylor Jones. As the breeze died and the tide increased the Fireflies, along with the fleets of Larks and National 12's, hinted to the race officer that the conditions were becoming unsailable by all heading for shore. PRO Graeme got the hint and abandoned the final race of the day.

After leading the charge at the bar the night before the fleet emerged a little bleary eyed in the morning. They were, however, greeted with much better sailing conditions; an oscillating force 3 with 'sunny intervals'. The PRO managed to squeeze in the missing race from Saturday, with Greaves & Edwards once again winning, this time from Alex Davey accompanied by wife Rosie.

Race 4 got underway just as the Larks were passing through the start / finish line at then end of their first lap, causing some havoc. The Hudsons showed the fleet a clean pair of heals, but were admirably chased down by Guy Davison & Amy Bowden; that is until Guy decided the re-colour the top of his sail 'Orwell Mud Brown' at a mildly lively gybe mark, allowing the Daveys' to once again finish second.

The final race was set with two possible event winners, the Hudsons & Greaves / Edwards combos'. In the final scraps before the first windward mark the lead changed three times, but it was the consistent Hudsons who lead, with Greaves making and poor error in judgement (apparently blaming it on the previous evenings rather tasty Czech lager) spinning his way out of contention. Despite a gallant fight back it was the Hudsons who took the event, with Greaves / Edwards beating Alex Davey / assorted crews on count back.

The final two chances to practice before the nationals come at Rickmansworth Sailing Club on the 12th 13th July, followed by the Lymington Summer Open on the 19th / 20th July.

Overall Results: