Speed Sails Fireball news
by Speed Sails 15 Sep 2005 13:06 BST
DJ Edwards and Dan Newman win the Holt Fireball nationals & Europeans at Teignmouth ©
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2005 has been an excellent season for Speed Sails in the Fireball class. The sails have finished:
- 1st European Championships
- 1st Grand Nationals
- 1st UK Nationals
- 1st Irish Nationals
- 1st French Nationals
The Fireball Grand Nationals was the first of the big championship events. This year the event took place on Lake Garda, Italy and attracted 48 boats from Italy, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland, Belgium and the UK. The venue, Brenzone is located about halfway down the lake and does not experience the high afternoon winds associated with Riva & Torbole at the top end of Garda. Nevertheless the racing was very close and after 7 windward leeward races only 1 point separated the top three teams with Shane MacCarthy & Andy Thompson eventually winning from the Swiss team Kurt Venhoda & Sonja Zaugg. Vince Horey & Gavin Tilson from the UK were 3rd overall.
In Ireland, Tom Fitzpatrick & Dave McHugh got off to a very successful debut year in the Fireball. Tom was the Irish 49er representative at the Athens Olympics and had previously campaigned a 470 with Dave in a bid to qualify for the Sydney Olympics. Using Speed Sails in their first year in the class the pair showed no difficulties adapting to the boat, winning both the Ulster Championship and the Galway Open Championship before travelling to Wicklow Sailing Club in July to add the Irish Nationals to their haul. They won 5 of the 8 races sailed to take the title by 15 points. Speed sails have now finished first at the Irish Championships for 3 consecutive years.
The highlight of the Fireball year was of course the 2005 World Championships at Teignmouth, on the South coast of England in August. This event was the biggest Fireball Worlds ever held, attracting competitors from 12 different countries and 4 continents. Speed Sails sponsored the Silver fleet and also provided the on-site chandlery & boat repair services for the event. 119 boats gathered initially for the European Championships and UK Nationals. Past Fireball World Champion and reigning UK Champion DJ Edwards teamed up with 470 crew Dan Newman. Using Speed sails on a Duvoisin hull, the pair showed exceptional boatspeed in light airs, counting 3 race victories to win the Europeans by 17 points from Chips Howarth & Vyv Townend. For the following week and the World Championships, entries swelled to a massive 176 boats with Chips & Vyv emerging as the 2005 World Champions. The three Speed works boats all finished inside the top ten and are now up for sale (including the European Championship winning boat). See details below.
French sailors, Ludovic Alleaume & Etienne Perdon finished 14th at the Worlds and then travelled directly to Portrieux to compete in the French Nationals. 51 fireballs gathered for the 11 race championship. Ludovic & Etienne successfully defended their title counting seven 1sts and two 2nds to win the event with 2 races to spare. The pair have used Speed sails to win the last 3 French Nationals (and last year’s Grand Nationals) and wrapped up a very successful season for Speed Sails.
For more information on Speed Fireball Sails don’t hesitate to contact the sail loft 0044 (0)1922 455503 or e-mail sails@speedsails.co.uk
Fireballs for sale from Speed Sails:
Fireball - 14908, Price: £8500
Duvoisin Fireball - new June 2005. 1st Fireball Europeans 2005, 1st UK Nationals 2005. Immaculate condition, comes complete with Speed Sails, Cumulus mast, under & over covers, combi trolley & trailer. Ready to sail.
Fireball - 14904, Price: £8950
Winder Fireball, new June 2005. 4th Teignmouth Worlds. Immaculate condition, comes complete with spars, under & over covers, combi trolley & trailer, Speed Sails (new August '05). Ready to race.
Fireball - 14834, Price: £7500
Winder Fireball. 1st UK, Swiss, Irish Nationals 2003. 1st Grand Nationals 2005. Brand new mast (Aug'05), new Speed sails (Aug '05), under & over covers, combi tolley & trailer. Excellent condition.
Contact: Speed Sails
Telephone (W): 01922 455503
Email: sails@speedsails.co.uk
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