Firefly Open at Redditch Sailing Club
by Will Mason 23 Mar 2009 21:26 GMT
21 March 2009
Visitors travelled from afar a field as Devon and London for the inaugural Redditch SC Firefly Open on Saturday 21st March. There was plenty of sun and not a lot of wind.
Race one was a light wind affair with lots of wind shifts and bends around the island and close to the shore. The battle was between Pete/Janet being hotly perused by Keith/Alistair with regular place swapping. With Peter/Janet holding on to take the line honours.
Race 2 the wind was beginning to pick up. Again Peter/Janet showed the rest how to master the conditions and took a long lead and the win. Ali/Natalie, Will/Marion and Keith/Alistair had a close battle all the way round. The positions were decided on the final beat with Will/Marion just piping Ali/Natalie who just piped Keith/ Alistair.
Race 3 had a slight change of course with a bit more breeze in certain places. Peter/ Janet had a good battle with Keith/Alistair who pushed them hard but Peter/Janet held them off for a clean sweep and an early shower.
With only the minor positions up for grabs Race 4 was a close affair with Will/Marion just holding Ali/ Natalie off for a win which gave them 2nd over all and Ali/Natalie 4th overall. Keith/ Alistair came in 3rd in the final race and 3rd overall.
A great event and the class look forward to coming back next year with even more visitors. All the competitors went home tired after all the tacking practise and a ticket to win F4000.
The next events on the calendar are the Lymington Easter Regatta which is always a good indicator of early season form and the Firefly Class will let their hair down with early season party and open at Tamesis Club 25th/26th April. All the competitors will have another chance to win F4000!
Overall Results:
1st Peter Cook and Janet Exelby
2nd Will and Marion Mason
3rd Keith and Alistair Macaulay
4th Ali Barker and Natalie Crolla