Fireball Inland Championship at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Fireball Inlands at Draycote © Rob Parker

It was a fitting end to a successful season for the Fireball class. Just under 40 boats arrived to a sunny and windy Draycote – the quite unseasonable weather making the sailing and racing very pleasant for October.

The team at Draycote ran two days of back to back racing with a fast turnaround, the brisk breeze meant that each race was between 4 and 5 laps with many fast spinnaker hoists and drops.

As well as the event being the Inland Championship it was the final round of the Golden Dolphin – the class traveller series so there was a lot to play for.

In the gusty and shifty conditions Tom Gillard & Geoff Edwards showed their intensions by winning the first race in convincing style. Behind them there was plenty of action and much place changing amongst the usual suspects. In the end it was the team of Sam Mettam recently back from Canada & Tim Saunders who claimed second spot.

Fireball Inlands at Draycote - photo © Rob Parker

The same conditions prevailed for the following 2 races with Tom & Geoff taking both guns, this time with not such a margin. The team of Dave Hall & Paul Constable following in on their transom in both races.

The forecast for Sunday was for an increasing wind through the day, one could be forgiven for doubting it as the fleet left the shore in drizzle and light airs. The first race of the day got away with Peter & Tom Kyne taking the lead. A close battle took place though the duration of the race with Tom and Geoff finally overhauling Peter & Tom to take the gun. The promised wind kicked in along with the sunshine for the second race of the day, Kevin Hope & Russell Thorne took an early lead but were reeled in by Tom & Geoff who went on to win. Paul Cullen & Adam Whitehouse found some useful shifts and also overhauled Kevin & Russell.

Fireball Inlands at Draycote - photo © Rob Parker

Going into the last race Tom & Geoff were now unbeatable but the battle for second was on with four boats in the mix. It was Dave & Paul who pulled a 3rd out of the bag behind Tom & Geoff and Isaac Marsh & Richard Byrne (also known as the Draycote shift masters) to take runner up spot.

A terrific weekend to kick start next year's program where the class expects big entries at the Nationals in Looe and the Worlds in Carnac - France

Prize Winners:

Gold fleet
1st Tom Gillard & Geoff Edwards
2nd Dave Hall & Paul Constable
3rd Peter & Tom Kyne

Silver fleet
1st Isaac Marsh & Richard Byrne
2nd Peter Wood & Paul Roe
3rd Simon and Tom Maskell

Bronze fleet
1st Kath & Thomas Broatch
2nd Eleanor Craig & Richard Botting
3rd Daniel Johnson & Ben Latham

1st Lady Helm Derian Scott
1st Lady crew Karen Hiles
1st Junior helm Eleanor Craig
1st Junior Crew Charlie Turnball
1st Classic boat Daniel Johnson & Ben Latham

Overall Results: