Firebird Championship at Flushing Sailing Club
by Peter Stephens 8 Jun 2016 11:58 BST
4-5 June 2016
Ultraviolet during the Firebird Championship © Alex Metcalf
With the growing popularity of catamaran sailing, in both international match racing and with the America's Cup moving into two hulls, it is no surprise that one of the more popular classes locally is still on the rise.
Flushing Sailing Club hosted the second Annual Championship Event for the Firebird Fleet. A series of 5 races over two days allowed all the boats the opportunity to discard their worst result. With ten boats now being based in and around Falmouth, from a total of 15 ever produced, the racing is becoming ever more competitive and the level of performance of these boats despite being mostly around 30 years old shows that the design stands the test of time exceptionally well.
Three races took place on Saturday in a steady sea breeze off Gylunvase Beach in Falmouth and the Race officer set consistently good courses. Ultraviolet, helmed by Peter Stephens and crewed by Tom Laity took line honours on every race with Steve Hutt and Mike Wigmore also performing well.
Sunday saw light winds with plenty of wind shifts, making for races that allowed sailors who could combine good boat speed and playing the averages the opportunity to shine. Jack Penty, the race officer, incredibly managed to complete the full compliment of races despite the conditions and Steve Hutt won the first race, with Mike Wigmore spotting the shifts and taking the win in the final race. Peter Stephens sailed a consistent enough day to take the overall Championship Title for 2016 with Mike Wigmore just taking Second by a point from Steve Hutt in third.
All the Firebird fleet were very appreciative of all the support that had been provided by Elemental UK, Windsport and Cafe Mylor in putting the Championship together and particularly to Flushing Sailing Club for hosting such a successful Championship.