Fireball National Championships at Tenby Sailing Club - Day 2
by David Hall 19 Aug 2014 11:46 BST
16-22 August 2014
Event Sponsored by Noble, Performance Penguin, and fbm Holidays
The fleet woke to a forecast for a more gentle day – however once out on the race course it was just as windy as the first day with 20 – 25 knots of breeze with some big gusts and very big shifts.
The fleet got away first time on a gate start with David Sayce as pathfinder, there were a few late starters including some of the front runners who then had a bit of work to do. After a snakes and ladders beat the first boats were lead around the mark by Tom Gillard & Richard Anderton who, having not spotted the course instruction on the committee boat, took some of the fleet off on the tight reach instead of the run.
The fleet as a result closed up with Matt Burge & Simon Wheeler taking the lead followed by Ian Dobson & Tim Linsell. With some more spectacular sailing and much place changing Tom & Richard pulled though to win after both Ian & Tim and Matt & Simon had small gear failures.
For the second race of the day the PRO changed to a line start and with an over eager fleet the first start was recalled. With a black flag in place the fleet got clean away for the next start. It was the usual suspects at the front but with this time David Winder & Simon Potts plus Claude Mermond & Ruedi Moser from Switzerland pulling themselves into the mix.
Once again the shifts made for some big place changes all the way through the fleet meaning there were lots of opportunities for place gains but more often than not place losses. Tom & Richard finally got them selves to the front to win the race closely followed by a pack of 4 boats that crossed the line with a photo finish.
So after 4 races Tom & Richard head up the leaderboard followed by Ian & Tim and Matt & Simon. First lady helm is Christine Slater.
Once ashore in the in the shelter of the cliffs it was time to have a breather and recount the days excitement with fellow competitors.
The evenings entertainment run by Andy Robinson after the AGM and pasties went down well with the usual days stories, prize giving and quiz night.
Two more races are scheduled for Tuesday after which the fleet will have a well earned lay day.