Ulster Fireball Championships at Lough Neagh Sailing Club
by Jeff Harrison 18 May 2009 16:33 BST
16-17 May 2009
17 Fireballs made the trip to Lough Neagh Sailing Club. Over the last few months the club have re-introduced dinghy sailing after a long break of 20 years, so were more than happy for the Fireball Event to take place.
Unfortunately Saturday’s racing had to be cancelled due to Force 7 (gusting Force 8) winds. Everyone enjoyed the food and entertainment put on by the club that night.
On Sunday the race officer John Murtagh and his team set Olympic Courses for the fleet. The wind was gusting up to force 6 which made exilerating sailing but testing conditions for the fleet. The rescue teams where kept busy for Race 1 and Race 2 as many boats ran into difficulties with some having gear failure and having to retire.
By Race 3 the wind had eased slightly to a force 4 for the remaining 10 boats. At the top end of the Gold fleet T Gillard & F Rowan where having a great battle with N Butler & S Moore throughout the event. It was Gillard and Rowan who prevailed as they managed to win all three races putting in some impressive boat handling in the challenging conditions. In the Silver fleet S Oram and L Bishop dominated, claiming victory.
At the prizegiving former Fireballer’s Adrian and Maeve Bell presented the prizes. Adrian and Maeve represented Lough Neagh Sailing Club in Fireballs winning many Regional and National Championships in the 70’s and 80’s.
Overall Results:
Gold Fleet
1st, 14840, T Gillard & F Rowan (SVSC) 3pts
2nd, 146, N Butler & S Moore (DMYC) 6pts
3rd, 14790, A Pearce & H Butler (RSGYC) 10pts
Silver Fleet
1st, 14854, S Oram & L Bishop (DMYC) 22pts
2nd, 13787, J Nicholson & V Bessler (RSGYC) 44pts
3rd, 14691, L McKenna & G Denzler (RSGYC) 44pts