Fireball Inland Championships at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

Fireball Inlands at Chew Valley Lake © Errol Edwards

Fireball Inlands at Chew Valley Lake © Andy Robinson

The Allen Brothers sponsored Fireball Inland Championships was held at the lovely Chew Valley SC this weekend. With 37 boats on the entry list, the final event of the season promised to be a corker and with amazing conditions on day 1, it certainly didn't disappoint. The fleet is enjoying a revival ahead of next years UK World Championships and it was great to see the return of some quality partnerships and the forming of new teams.

Race 1 got underway 1st time in 15 knots of breeze and bright sunshine. It was Jonny McGovern & Tim Carter from Port Dinorwic SC who made the most of the conditions. They headed a trio of boats who escaped the pack and used the subsequent laps to extend quite a significant lead over the remainder of the fleet. McGovern/Carter were kept honest by DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend, and the podium was completed by Pete Gray & Tim Saunders.

Race 2 saw the wind swing slightly east, dropping in strength and the sun disappear behind some ominous looking clouds. The fleet again got away 1st time but this time it was Lucy Boreham & Richard Anderton who led at the 1st mark after a disappointing result in race 1. They were chased down by Dave Hall & Paul Constable with Edwards/Townend and Gray/Saunders also in the mix. Some great racing ensued with cracking reaching conditions in a freshening breeze. The final order saw Edwards/Townend take the win with Hall/Constable in 2nd and the consistent Gray/Saunders bagging another 3rd place.

In race 3 the conditions remained largely the same and again there were plenty of place changes and some screaming reaches. Christine & Graham Slater led the 1st lap but the eventual winners were the formidable Edwards/Townend with Ally Martin and Russel Thorn taking a well deserved 2nd and Hall/Constable in 3rd.

The tired fleet retired to the bar for some beer and food and the warm hospitality (and great bar prices!) at Chew Valley SC.

Day 2 dawned with rain and low cloud. After some delay due to the changing conditions, race 1 got underway in the driving rain and a westerly breeze of 8-10 knots. It was the overnight leaders who made the most of the variable conditions and they went on to take another bullet from Gray/Saunders and Hall/Constable who completed the now familiar top 3.

Fireball Inlands at Chew Valley Lake - photo © Errol Edwards

In race 2 the wind freshened and moved left, leaving the 1st reach too tight for most, including Edwards/Townend who rounded the windward mark 1st. Towards the end of the reach they had to drop the kite and head up to make the mark but despite this, their lead remained unassailable and they took another bullet and won the event with a race to spare, allowing them an early shower. The majority of the fleet had to Aussie drop on the 1st reach to make the gybe mark and the freshening breeze took a few casualties.

Race 3, without the presence of the dominant winners, allowed the chasing pack to fight it out for the podium places and it was Hall/Constable who took a deserved win from Gray/Saunders.

The prize giving was well attended and there were generous prizes from Allen Brothers for 1st Youth boat, 1st Classic boat, 1st Lady, 1st, 2nd and 3rd in both Bronze and Silver fleets and prizes for the top 10 boats including the overall winner and the highest placed local crew.

The class really enjoyed the event and DJ Edwards led the show of appreciation to Chew Valley for their excellent organization and warmth.

More Errol Edwards photos can be found here.

Overall Results: