Fireball Nationals at Restronguet Sailing Club

Fireball nationals at Restronguet day 2 © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

Fireball nationals at Restronguet day 2 © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

Sponsored by: Harken, GUL, Peak Dinghy Spares, Rooster Sailing, Animal, Pinnell and Bax and North Sails

Dave Wade and Ben McGrane in 'Sleep Terrorist' claim their second nationals title on final day of racing.

Saturday saw the arrival of competitors at Restronguet Sailing Club for what looked like being a windy week's racing. Registration and measurement checks were completed with the last competitors arriving on the ferry from the French Nationals, which had been held the week before. In the evening an excellent spread was laid on for the Commodore's reception at RSC.

Sunday dawned with little wind to speak of. After a postponement, it was decided to race in the Carrick Roads as this was where the most wind was to be found. The wind eventually filled in allowing two races (for the Norris Fireball Trophy and the Hunstanton Town Salver) to be held and some very tight racing took place. Martyn Lewis and Richard Byne, who were sailing this year in a borrowed boat, were the stars of the day posting two bullets in the tidal and shifty conditions. Reigning champions Matt Burge and Richard Wagstaff also had an excellent day posting two seconds.

With the course set as a sausage triangle for the first day, racing was very tight particularly on the first lap with lots of place changes. Sunday night was buddy night with competitors paired up throughout the fleet, so that everyone has an expert on hand to help out. Buddy Night speed dating then went in to overdrive with a little competition to find out who had undertaken a variety of sins such as have you ever had sailing a miracle or have you ever lied in a protest to protect a friend? hmmm.

Monday brought a complete change of conditions. A strong westerly was blowing in but with the racing held in Falmouth Bay close in, the sea conditions were very manageable. Two windy races were held with the wind reaching 28 knots during the 2nd race of the day. Lewis and Byne took the early lead in race 3 (the Chippendale Hull) but eventually fell back to 4th, with Dave Wade and Ben McGrane winning from Burge and Wagstaff and Sam Mettam & Richard Anderton. Race 4 (the Contac Trophy) saw Becky Priest and Tim Saunders lead for much of the race with Dave Wade and Ben McGrane only taking the lead on the final leg of the course. Behind there were lots of place changes as a number of leading boats went for a swim at some stage, as the shifty conditions made the reaches tight on occasions. Lewis and Byne were again consistent with a 3rd. This was definitely a two pasty day with many a hungry competitor seen chomping at the galley after sailing. There were some tired looking people at Monday evening's AGM, where presentations about the forthcoming 2010 Europeans and the 2011 Nationals were delivered.

Tuesday was another day of excellent racing in Falmouth bay. Race 5 ( the Rondar trophy) saw Mettam and Anderton charge off with Wade and McGrane in close pursuit to finish in that order with Burge and Wagstaff keeping the pressure on with a 3rd. Race 6 ( the Peter Milne Trophy) saw Wade and McGrane score another win and take the lead into the layday. Vince Horey and Sam Breary took 2nd.

Tuesday evening was time for the boat trip along the River Fal and around Carrick Roads with a stop a St. Mawes for food and further refreshments. With no need to get up for racing the next days some competitors were looking decidedly relaxed by the end of the evening as they persuaded the Ferry to drop them in Falmouth for a night out.

Wednesday was the layday, many competitors took the opportunity to see the original Fireball which is currently on display at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth. Not quite as many fittings on it as a modern Fireball!

Thursday. Race 7 (The Yachts and Yachting Trophy) was held in Falmouth bay in marginal trapezing conditions. Wade won from Lewis, with Russ and Ali Cormack 3rd. An attempt was made to start the 8th race of the series but the wind died before a clean start could be made, but not before some controversy over who was black flagged and who wasn't.

Friday saw 3 races out in Falmouth Bay, making for a long day on the water. The relative extremes of weather had disappeared. The wind built throughout the day from marginal trapezing in race 8 to planing upwind on the sail in. Wade and McGrane were leading going into the final day and they were the most consistent boat again winning the final race (The Stanstead Abbotts Trophy) to secure the title ahead of Martyn Lewis and Richard Byne ahead of the 2009 Champions Matt Burge and Richard Wagstaff (who won the 9th race for the Fat Harry White Trophy).

Vince Horey and Sam Breary had a solid final day with a 1 (Anya Charlotte Trophy),3,2 securing 4th place overall, with Sam Mettam and Richard Anderton in 5th. Becky Priest crewed by Tim Saunders claimed 6th overall and first lady helm. 7th Overall and wheelchair trophy winner (over 50 helm) was Tim Rush with Russell Thorne (1st over 50 crew).

There were lots of potential winners of the unluckiest competitor of the week competition. Plenty of boats broke masts - but one mishap wasn't really enough with two days of windy conditions testing the quality of boat preparation to the limit. Niki Birrell and Bevis Field somehow managed to break everything but their mast. Slot Gasket, various sheets, fittings all broke, helm and crew were intact though!

As always with the Fireball it was a case of 'If you can sail anything is these conditions, you can sail a Fireball.' This spirit is rewarded with the typhoon perservence trophy for the last placed boat to complete all the races. This year son and father team of Peter and Richard Clayton from Scaling Dam were the winners. Silver Fleet winners were lightweight pairing of the Willcocks brothers who were competitive across the wind range despite their lightweight status. They also took home the Brixham Trophy. Bronze Fleet winners were the David and Michelle Ryder from Blackwater Sailing club. 1st Lady crew went to outgoing class secretary Ali Cormack.

Thanks go to the host club Restronguet Sailing Club and to the event sponsors for supporting a great event.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Fireball nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here