Firefly open meeting at Keyhaven Yacht Club
by Jane Hudson 26 Jul 2016 10:23 BST
23-24 July 2016
An excellent turnout of 16 boats enjoyed breezy conditions at Keyhaven's inaugural Firefly open meeting over 23rd/24th July.
Travellers came from as far afield as West Kirby to enjoy the Solent sunshine and the fleet included a mix of the usual suspects and newcomers. Not one but two new/nearly new boats were launched - Dom Johnson with his brand new Rondar "Vadar" (4234 but sailing during the weekend under no32) and John Greenland with "Falken" (2296 but sailing during the weekend under no69) recently and beautifully "Mark IVed" by Chris Somner.
Race Officer Malcolm and his team set short courses off Hurst Castle and once the initial sea fret had been blown away, conditions were perfect for some classic summer sailing. In fact competitors enjoyed themselves so much on Saturday that an additional race was added, just for fun!
After sailing, the fleet enjoyed tea, cakes and the beautiful views from the club house, followed by a BBQ and the trip to the local arts festival for some.
Sunday's racing took place in similar conditions. Overnight leaders Nigel Wakefield and Sally Wakefield/Emily Sanderson successfully covered Stuart and Jane Hudson for much of the day, until a twist of fate on the downwind finish of the final race when a significant gust, leeward mark incident/s and surfing opportunity occurred simultaneously resulting in the Hudsons sneaking past the Wakefields to win the event overall, with Greenland/Guy third and Johnson/Marston fourth.
Prizes also went to Evie Snedker, crewed by David Ellis for first lady helm, and to Alex and James Colquitt for first youth boat. Special mention must also go to the younger (age 10 and below) crews of Annabel Vines, James Kennedy and Polly Mason who managed admirably in the windy conditions.
Many thanks to the club members for their wonderful hospitality and great sailing. Hopefully there will be another event next year!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Furry Ferret | 3850 | Stuart | Jane | ‑8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 2nd | Flo | 3674 | Nigel | Emily | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ‑10 | 11 |
| 3rd | Falken | 69 | John | Ruth Guy | 3 | 4 | ‑6 | 6 | 1 | 14 |
| 4th | Vadar | 32 | Dom | Hollie | 5 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 |
| 5th | Artic Tern | 3892 | Rob | Mary | 4 | ‑10 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 15 |
| 6th | Lynestra | 3318 | Guy | Izzy Drewitt | 6 | 5 | 4 | ‑9 | 7 | 22 |
| 7th | Sea Ya! | 3878 | Alex | James | ‑11 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 26 |
| 8th | Geoff | 2849 | Evie | David Ellis | 2 | 9 | ‑13 | 8 | 9 | 28 |
| 9th | Frieda | 3072 | D Boreham | A Gardener | ‑13 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 29 |
| 10th | Fetherlite | 2144 | Ben Vines | Annabel | 1 | 3 | 9 | 17 | DNC | 30 |
| 11th | Willow | 3739 | Lucy | Rachel | 9 | 8 | ‑10 | 7 | 8 | 32 |
| 12th | Pandemonic | 1522 | Ben Green | Fi Edwards | ‑12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 44 |
| 13th | Mensonge | 3095 | Chris Guy | Annie Guy | 10 | 12 | 11 | 17 | DNC | 50 |
| 14th | Rocking | 3893 | Anna | James | 14 | 13 | RTD | DNS | RTD | 57 |
| 15th | The Walrus | 2282 | William | Polly | DNS | DNS | DNS | 12 | 12 | 58 |
| 16th | Little Toad | 3079 | Toby Waite | Heidi Waite | 15 | RTD | RTD | 17 | DNC | 63 |