Gul Fireball UK Nationals / Pre Worlds at Plas Heli - Day 1

The Birrell/Brearey partnership on day 1 of the Gul UK Fireball Nationals © David Henshall

Double bullet Birrell

With PRO Peter Saxton keen to keep this event running to schedule, by the time the competitors joined the Race Team out on the waters of Tremadog Bay, preparations were well in hand for an on time 1pm start to the Gul sponsored Fireball National Championships. However, the wind had other ideas, as it first softened, then swung, but with the breeze settling in at a steady 235 degrees the start sequence got under way. With less than 2 minutes to go before the start, the word came down from the top of the course that there had been a shift to 280 degrees, by the time a double check had been made the fleet were contemplating a close reach to Mark 1. Queue the AP flag and then a lengthy delay as the Committee Boat had to move further out to sea. Finally the new course was laid, only for the recent outbreak of start line indiscipline in the fleet to re-occur with a General Recall.

Once under the Black Flag things improved and with just enough breeze for the lighter crews to be comfortable on the wire. Showing that the reputation of the Czech contingent for lighter airs boatspeed was well founded saw the all-female team of Kla'ra Janderova and Michaela Burdova rounding Mark 1 in first place.

Their boat may be called the 'Whistling Gorilla' but Kla'ra Janderova and Michaela Burdova showed some real finesse in the lighter breezes of Race 1 of the Gul UK Fireball Nationals - photo © David Henshall

This was somewhat fortuitous, as halfway up the beat one of the expected front runners, Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton had been looking very good, only for the still shifting wind to dump them back a bit.

As the race progressed the wind steadied and started to freshen, bringing all the usual suspects to the fore. With the sausage complete, as the fleet raced around the triangle the conditions became officially 'champagne' quality and it looked as if Ian Dobson and Ben Ainsworth were about to start their week with a win. However quick they were sailing, lap counting must not be forgotten and as they rounded the leeward mark, the pair dropped their kite and hardened up for the beat. Behind them the reigning World Champions, Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey were far too canny to make an error like that. With spinnaker flying and Sam flat out on the wire, the pair blasted across the line, leaving a disconsolate Dobson to two sail over in second.

Ian Dobson (r) having realised his mistake has born away towards the finish, but Birrell and Brearey have already blasted their way to the line in Race 1 of the Gul UK Fireball Nationals - photo © David Henshall

With the wind nudging up towards Oscar territory, the fleet seemed determined to spend as long as possible out on the water by going for another General Recall. It was now trapezing time for all, and with the course for race two being triangle, sausage, triangle, the stage was set for the Fireball fleet to do what they like best, as the reaches became full on trapezing three sailers. James Peters and Fynn Sterritt, taking a break from the world of asymmetrics, were showing real class on the upwind legs, proving that they will be a potent force as the event progresses. However, as the race wore on, Birrell and Brearey did not need any mistakes from the other competitors as they controlled the race from the front.

With two wins and more breeze forecast for day two, the leading pair have put down the marker that they will be defending their title with real intent. However, the chasing pack all have the ability to make this task a hard one. Tomorrow's wind and rain may not be champagne conditions, but it will show who are the real pace setters looking forward to the World Championships next week.

Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey:
When asked about what was said in the boat, when they saw leader Dobson start up the beat... their comment is unprintable! The pair were far more forthcoming talking about the day in general. Sam said that they worked hard for the first two minutes, with their concentration in this period purely on boatspeed. For this time they were not working at the tactics but on breaking clear. They felt that there were as many as 10 boats with real Championship credentials, with Tom Gillard being probably the greatest threat to their retaining the title. But, as Christian said, two wins are nice, two wins on the opening day of next week's World Championships would be even better.

Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey know that there will be sterner challenges ahead on day 1 of the Gul UK Fireball Nationals - photo © David Henshall

Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton:
Tom was philosophical about his result in Race 1, (when the shift dropped him off the lead) though with his results for the day being a 2, 3 he is handily placed to attack the leaders tomorrow. He felt that he had good pace upwind, with even better boatspeed offwind. Is looking forward to tomorrow!

Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton working hard to close the gap on the leaders on day 1 of the Gul UK Fireball Nationals - photo © David Henshall

Jonny McGovan and Max Todd:
If there was one boat that really defied normal convention it is the Speed Machine sailed by Jonny McGovan and crew Max Todd. Jonny's comment was that until yesterday, Max hadn't sailed the boat, with Race 1 being his baptism of fire (balling). The pair showed good pace and like Tom Gillard, looked to have something extra in the tank on the downwind legs.

Jonny McGovan and new crew Max Todd doing what is says on the box on day 1 of the Gul UK Fireball Nationals - photo © David Henshall

Results after Day 1:

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