New ALTO wins Fireball Worlds
by Ben McGrane, Seldén Mast 14 Oct 2009 09:05 BST
Chips Howarth and Vyv Townsend win the Fireball worlds using the new Selden ALTO mast section © Isabelle Bertrand
Chips Howarth and Vyv Townsend added another Fireball World Championship victory to the tally as they sailed an impressive series to win the week by a comfortable margin over their rivals. The event, sailed in La Rochelle, France was heavily contested with 100 teams competing and all of the top teams returning for a shot at winning this coveted championship.
While sailing and preparing with limited time in the run up to the event, the team made the decision to switch to the new Selden ALTO mast section with the expectation of light winds and chop suiting the stiffer mast. Chips worked closely with the P&B loft and developed a package that proved to be consistently fast.
‘We have been looking for a stiffer rig for the Fireball since the arrival of the mylar mainsails and Selden delivered with the Alto section. It is just slightly stiffer, both fore and aft, than the Cumulus, this gives us more rig control and power generation. Selden have been clever to achieve this with efficient use of dimension and wall thickness whilst the tube maintains good gust response like the Cumulus. I am sure many Classes should look at the Alto section’ Chips Howarth
The worlds also saw the retirement of Vyv’s long running favourite spinnaker pole, a modified J24 pole created to combat the high compression loads caused by the Fireball’s narrow shroud base. This year Vyv purchased a Selden Twaron Spinnaker pole and has been impressed by the weight and stiffness of this product designed specifically for the Fireball.
‘My original motivation for choosing the twaron pole was to reduce weight in the boat, and having tested the pole in 20+ knots it's clear that the pole's lightness has not compromised stiffness. I have also found some unexpected but probably more significant benefits. Due to it's lightness it is much easier to throw around in manoeuvres, and I have yet to have the guy accidentally fall out of the new pole ends. This translates into quicker hoists, gybes and drops and the potential for place gains’ Vyv Towsend
If you would like further information on Selden Fireball products, product developments and the best choice of equipment for you then please contact Ben McGrane on 01329 504000 or
Web: www.seldenmast.co.uk