Firefly Open at Llangorse Sailing Club
by Steven Greaves 7 May 2013 20:40 BST
4-5 May 2013
Fireflys at Llangorse © Abigail Greaves
The Firefly class made its return to the beautiful Llangorse Sailing Club over the weekend of 4th / 5th May. Having been one of the original classes when the club was founded in 1953, it was great to see them in action on a lake that is perfect for the close tactical racing that Fireflys have become known for. Sandwiched between the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, the wind and sunshine played ball all weekend for the small but competitive fleet that arrived for the six races.
Saturday's first race kicked off in a blustery force four with the fleet initially being lead by local legend Guy Davison sailing with Kate Hall. He was hotly pursued by Damian Boreham sailing with fourteen year old local Louis Smith and Steven and Arthur Greaves. Down the following three reaches the Greaves took full advantage of the fact that Arthur was just four years old and weighed just two stone, planing through from third to first. That advantage was reversed on the uphill sections with Guy and Kate taking the lead and Damian and Louis snatching second just before the line.
The second race finished in the same order but the wind dropped slightly for the final race and Steve swapped to his heavy weight crew (Seven year old Madeleine, tipping the scales at three stone!) and managed to finish second to the consistent Davison and Hall.
An evening of Butty ale and excellent game pies at the local Castle Inn was a perfect interlude before Sunday dawned sunny with a playful F2-3 coming down the lake. Steve and Arthur got the best start and were just ahead at the windward and sailed off to an unchallenged lead. Damian and Guy fought it out for the rest of the race with Damian and Louis triumphing to take second.
They went one better in the second winning from Steve, sailing with Madeleine again this time. Guy and Kate were still looking to build on their clean sweep of the previous day and all was to play for in the final race.
The start was tight and it was Steve and Arthur who squeezed through to the lead at the windward. Their weight benefit took them off to a large lead with Damian and Louis finishing a consistent day in second. Guy and Kate's third 3rd of the day saw them winning on count back with four of the six races to count. Steve / Madeleine / Arthur came in second with Damian and Louis third. An all-round brilliant weekend and the class will be back for more next year.
Overall Results:
1. Guy Davison and Kate Hall, 1,1,1,3,3,3, 6pts
2. Steve Greaves and Arthur / Madeleine Greaves, 3,DNS,2,1,2,1, 6pts
3. Damian Boreham and Louis Smith, 2,3,2,2,1,2, 7pts