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Gul Golden Dolphin Fireball Series Round 4 at Blackwater Sailing Club

by Dave Hall 18 Jun 2019 09:56 BST 15-16 June 2019
Blackwater Fireball Open © Zoe Nelson

The early start because of tide times did not keep away the keen teams from Blackwater SC's Annual Fireball open. The penultimate event of the Golden Dolphin traveller's series sponsored by Gul proved to be a challenge for many of the teams both mentally on Saturday and through stamina on Sunday.

Three races were held on the first day in a changeable southerly breeze, as the clouds passed the wind changed considerably both in direction and strength. The first race was led by Isaac & Olly chased by Dave & Paul. However, while they were engrossed in their own battle they and a number of others omitted to look at the flags to see the shorten course allowing BSC fleet captain Charlie & Malcolm to take a win with Peter & Tom second and Kevin & Russell third.

In the second race of the day Dave & Paul made no mistakes taking the lead and extending it though the race taking advantage of being at the front of every shift. Isaac & Olly followed in second with Mark & Nigel third. For the last race of the day Peter & Tom took the lead at the first mark and were also able to extend their lead through the race taking every shift. Isaac & Olly came in second with Dave & paul third after taking Bryan & Will on the last run.

After the day's racing the traditional Fish and Chip supper was followed by a tour of the local Maldon hostels.

Sunday dawned to a solid 20 - 25 knots from the south. With epic reaches and runs it was fun for most and a struggle for a few. Dave & Paul took the first race with Paul & Adam second and Peter and Tom third. The final race of the weekend saw Isaac & Olly storm in from the left up the first beat and open up a substantial lead. There was battle for the next few places with the usual suspects and after some tight racing Dave & Paul managed to pull through to second after some drama with the spinnaker.

Thanks must go to Blackwater and the race team and of course all the helpers on shore and in the club house. Plus Gul for all the prizes through the fleet for Silver and bronze and support for the event.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5Pts
1st15155David HallPaul ConstableBSC(OCS)13127
2nd15124Peter KyneTom KyneBrightlingsea2413‑610
3rd15143Isaac MarshSquashed OllyNorthampton‑10226111
4th15133Kevin HopeRussell ThorneNotts County3‑554315
5th15147Paul CullenAdam WhitehouseWeirwood(DSQ)662418
6th15148Bryan SargeantWill SargeantBSC4847(DNC)23
7th15066Mark MaskellNigel SheppardBSC‑11388726
8th13944Dan JohnsonBen LathamWestern(OCS)975526
9th14905Charlie StewartMalcolm GreenBSC11010(DNF)829
10th15115Steve JarredLloyd TaylorBSC611‑12101138
11th15102Martin ScarthBen PhippsBSC712‑1591038
12th15041Maria RichardsNicolette JohnsonBSC5(DNF)1414942
13th15107Rick CorresJames GoodfellowBurghfield879(DNC)DNC43
15th14887Mr NelsonThomas PayneHayling Island12151312(DNC)52
16th14805Hatty NormanEmilie HoodBSC14(DNF)DNC13DNF65
17th14882Andy TaylorWill TaylorBSC1314(DNF)DNFDNF65
18th14755Dave RyderNick ClarkeBSC(DNC)DNCDNC11DNC68

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