Please select your home edition
Edition
Feb-Nov23 Leaderboard TEMO2

Firefly Open at West Kirby Sailing Club

by Chris Kameen 20 Sep 2021 06:24 BST 12 September 2021
Downwind leg during the West Kirby Firefly Open © Alan Jenkins

Eleven boats turned out for the West Kirby Firefly Open sailed on the Marine Lake on Sunday 12th September. The event - organised by Lucy Storey, Pete Bramley and Kate Eggleton - was absolutely brilliant, with club boats available to hire at a very reasonable rate. The £10 entry included a fantastic lunch by Lyndsay Gatenby and her team, and doughnuts when we first arrived.

Startline during the West Kirby Firefly Open - photo © Alan Jenkins
Startline during the West Kirby Firefly Open - photo © Alan Jenkins

The wins was due to be very light for the weekend, but Pete Bramley (RO) and Mike and Ann De St Paer (ARO) were keen to see how many races we would get in. What followed was 5 x short 10 minutes races sailed round a box course which saw considerable place-changing throughout. This style of event really tests your starting and close quarter boat work. Representing Llyn Brenig Sailing Club, I was sailing with Anna Leddingham from West Kirby Sailing club, and we had a great series, managing to eek our way to the front and then just hold on. We had exceptionally close racing and were regularly mixing it with Marian and Angus Armstrong, Guy Davison and Josh Darby, James Morson and Lucy Storey and Will Trumper and Sarah Gomm.

Smilers at the West Kirby Firefly Open - photo © Alan Jenkins
Smilers at the West Kirby Firefly Open - photo © Alan Jenkins

After lunch we managed to get two more races in before the wind dropped out completely, and we retired to the bar!

A brilliant day's sailing, great to catch up with old friends, and a format that I love. For aspiring University team racers, this is the best practice they can do. For those with older slower boats, you can just about hold on. For those who just think they are a bit older and slower, then the races are short enough that you can hold on! Thank you, thank you!

Chris Kameen & Anna Leddingham chasing Marian & Angus Armstrong during the West Kirby Firefly Open - photo © Alan Jenkins
Chris Kameen & Anna Leddingham chasing Marian & Angus Armstrong during the West Kirby Firefly Open - photo © Alan Jenkins

Overall Results:

1st Chris Kameen and Anna Leddingham (Llyn Brenig SC/ WKSC) 7pts
2nd Marian and Angus Armstrong (WKSC) 13pts
3rd James Morson and Lucy Storey (WKSC) 21pts
4th Guy Davison and Josh Darby (Llangorse SC/ WKSC) 21pts
5th Will Trumper and Sarah Gomm (University of Liverpool SC) 22pts
6th and 1st U21 Win Thananitayaudom and Jodie Martin (University of Liverpool SC) 38pts

Related Articles

Tamesis Firefly Elizabeth Cup and Junior Cup 2025
Bacon rolls on arrival, tasty lunches, delicious cake and glorious spring weather A round dozen Fireflys congregated at Tamesis Club on Saturday 26th April for the annual Elizabeth Cup and even-more-coveted Junior Cup. Posted on 2 May RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship
Team from the Royal Thames YC wins the Prince Philip Trophy A team from the Royal Thames Yacht Club has won the Prince Philip Trophy after claiming victory at the 2025 RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship. Hosted for the first time in the event's history by Oxford Sailing Club. Posted on 28 Mar Fabulous Fireflys
79th Tideway supported Nationals already fully booked The season has already begun with a fabulous outing to Grafham Water for the Ovington Inlands for round one of the Craftinsure supported Vines traveller series. Next up we head to Parkstone Yacht Club over the Easter weekend. Posted on 27 Mar Ovington Inland Championships at Grafham
110 sailors spread across 83 boats and 6 classes attended It was great to see over 110 sailors spread across 83 boats and six classes for the Ovington Inland championship. This regatta has become a season opener for our classes over the years and whilst the sun was out, the temperatures stayed down. Posted on 20 Mar Fireflys during the Ovington Inlands at Grafham
Sam and Benjamin Pascoe win in a new Ovington boat With the 505 still in the container coming home from Australia, I needed a boat to sail for the Ovington Inlands. Jono Pank very kindly offered the new Ovington class demo Firefly. I have to admit it is not my normal style / speed of boat. Posted on 19 Mar 2025 Schools Sailing Championships update
Magic Marine sponsor the prestigious event at Itchenor Sailing Club The prestigious Magic Marine National Schools Sailing Championships will be hosted by the historic Itchenor Sailing Club in June 2025, continuing a proud tradition that dates back to 1953. Posted on 9 Mar The Imperial Icicle 2025 Team Racing at Queen Mary
20 different teams from across the country, including two teams from Dublin With twenty different teams from across the country, including two teams from Dublin, filling Travelodge's, Airbnb's and friend's floors on the Friday night, it was set to be the largest competition in the club's history. Posted on 27 Feb WLYC 24 Hour Race wins RYA Event of the Year
And Sets Sights on 75 Entries for 2025 The WLYC 24 Hour Race has won the prestigious 'Event of the Year' Award at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, a fantastic recognition of the collaboration between competing clubs, and the dedication and passion of the volunteers. Posted on 24 Feb Entries Open for the 79th Firefly Nationals
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Jurassic Coast Get ready, sailors! The 79th National Firefly Championships is coming to Lyme Regis from 16th to 22nd August, and entries are now officially open. Posted on 31 Jan Panks sail to Bloody Mary glory
Using their light-airs skills to edge their Firefly to victory Jono and Freddie Pank used their light-airs skills to edge their Firefly to victory at last Saturday's GJW Direct 49th Bloody Mary. This is the most famous pursuit race in the UK dinghy racing scene. Posted on 14 Jan
Copyright 2025 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy