End of Season Fireball Open at Draycote Water Sailing Club

End of Season Fireball Open at Draycote Water © Malcolm Lewin / www.malcolmlewinphotography.zenfolio.com/sail

After a hectic year in the Fireball calendar with the hugely successful world championship it was business as usual on the Fireball open circuit. Draycote Water hosted the last open of the year and with the Scorpion fleet celebrated with an evening party along with the tight racing.

The weather forecast had been uncommitted but there was mention of strong winds in the afternoon. However, the fleet got away first time in a patchy light wind. Kevin Hope & Russell Thorne led the fleet all the way around from the close following pack of Matt Burge & Viv Townend and Tom Gillard & Richard Anderton. Into the last Leeward mark there was much gybing and tactical manoeuvring, Kevin & Russell briefly lost the lead to Matt & Viv but regained it just in time to cross the line first.

As race 2 started again in light airs, an ominous black cloud started to build over the North of the lake. The wind increased from the west while Antony & James Willcocks took the lead followed by Simon & Thomas Maskell. As the fleet planed down the second reach it hit – and boy did it hit. A 150 degree wind shift in seconds followed by gusts and lulls that ranged from 20 – 5 knots. As the fleet sorted themselves out with some hasty spinnaker drops the substantial wind shift actually meant the course still had the correct angles and legs - albeit in a different order. Tom and Richard took full advantage of the situation sailing into the lead and onto the finish.

As the start line was moved and the wind appeared to settle down the fleet were looking forward to a more stable and balanced third race. But with the onset of the evening and as the weather front moved across the wind slowly faded making the last beat and run a tense affair.

Tom & Richard held on to another first place in spite of having the fleet on their heels. After the Black tie dinner on Saturday evening the fleet were greeted on Sunday morning by a flat calm. The odd breeze floated across the lake in patches but in the end PRO John Rohde made the call and abandoned racing for the day.

A big thank you to Draycote for their efforts in the difficult conditions and to the team that organised the Black tie dinner and dance.

Overall Results: (top five)