GJW Direct Firefly Nationals at Weymouth Sailing Club - Preview

2013 GJW Direct Firefly Nationals day 2 © Border Photographics / www.borderphotos2010.com

The Firefly fleet is landing at Weymouth Sailing Club on Saturday for the 2014 GJW Direct Firefly Nationals. The week is shaping up to be fantastic event both on and off the water.

Starting onshore where much of the fun will be had, the barbeque is primed, the pubs have stoked up, Weymouth's finest musicians are booked and with free entry to Rendezvous for all competitors, all week, the opportunities are endless!

The week starts with the Commodore's Reception at WSC on Saturday evening, and Saturday night's 'Duckhams Awards' (like the Darwin Awards but where the candidates are usually still present to re-live their underachievement) will be celebrating all the underachievement throughout the year and in the build up to the championships. The nominations have been flowing in steadily including a cracker of a self nomination from an ex-champion who ordered his new sails with the wrong numbers on...

Sunday evening, we have the included barbeque, live music from Weymouth's legendary headliners 'Shooter' and we'll be finding out the pairings for the week's 'Awesome Foursome' buddies.

Monday is AGM night and a disco in the longshed to relive the nation's favourite tunes.

Tuesday sees the Crews' Union take over the club. The helms will be keeping their heads down in the Red Lion before the congregation is reunited and damage gets revealed in the longshed.

Wednesday is Carnival Day! An airshow will accompany the fleet to the finish of The Gore & Marlow Trophy race and the Red Arrows will be performing at the prize giving, straight after racing. If the excitement can be contained, dinner will be provided by Weymouth Sailing Club at 7pm followed by Dan Vincent's now infamous quiz night.

Thursday is the Fancy Dress Party & Live music from Dorset's current top rated band "The Leggomen". (Please Note: The theme is being kept under wraps to give Dave less time to come up with a way of breaking out the mankini).

Friday sees the prizegiving, followed by Galeforce 2 in the club, the Duckhams finale and another inevitable final trip to Rendezvous...

If we get any time to get on the water, the class has secured the services of Legendary Race Officer and ex-Firefly sailor Frank Newton who will be keeping the fleet in order and serving up a tempestuous mix of courses, gate & line starts throughout the week.

In terms of the form guide, the sporadic nature of the leading contender's attendance on the circuit this year means few head to heads have taken place, so the circuit view would give the The Hudsons the shortest odds.

Delving into the current entry list shows 5 previous champions who between them have won 13 of the last 20 championships. Stuart Hudson clearly tops that list with a record 6 titles under his belt, Ben Vines, David Ellis & Jono Pank all have a pair of titles each & Paul Kameen, who is returning to the championships after a couple of years off, with his solitary hard fought title from Torquay in 2008.

A further narrowing of the results to the last decade shows the Hudsons, Kameen & Panks with one title each and The Vines with two.

Also to consider within any form guide are the 8 other previous championship race winners, Guy Davidson, Roger Morris, Dan Vincent, Ed Smith, plus the returning bridemaids from 2009 Rob & Mel Sherrington and last year's raid by the Restronguet Mafia, represented by Dave Sincock & Ben Lumby. Add in a Team Racing World Champion, the Student Nation champion and a ton of other experience.... and quite frankly, what does it all tell us about the likely outcome? Well if last year was anything to go by when three teams went into the last race on equal points, then not a lot!

The windward mark (who's been remarkable quiet this year) may well have a view but has so far declined to comment despite a few nudges.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.