Fireball Gul Golden Dolphin event at Poole Yacht Club

Tom Gillard and Rich Pepperdine win the Fireball Gul Golden Dolphin event at Poole © Adam Deary

A glorious forecast of both wind and sun attracted double the boats than the previous year. The event was shared with the Osprey and Contender fleets and the UFD flag was to be used on all starts.

We sailed downwind from the club to the racing area in Stunning 10-17 knots and sunshine.

Race 1 started, Tom Gillard and Richard Pepperdine started pin end with left generally being the way to go, picked a shift, tacked and crossed the fleet leading around the first mark. Tom and Richard held this position until the finish. Unfortunately, 5 of the closely following boats had been UFD! 2nd went to Georgia Booth and Fresh Abendstern and the third was Nicholas Rees and Evelyne Schotte.

The shifts were up to 50 degrees. and pressure was very up and down. Keeping us all on our toes. In race 2 the fleet was much more conservative on the line this time getting away cleanly. Anthony Willcocks and James Willcocks and Derian Scott and Andy Scott both boats have a great first and second beat.

Derian and Andy jumped from 3rd to first on the last beat to take the win from Tom and Rich who were on the hunt on the last two reaches.

Race 3: Derian and Andy rounded first, leading to the gybe mark. there was a major gust making the reach super tight for the spinnaker drop causing Derian and Andy a swim!

This allowed Tom and Rich to pass and lead to the finish. Anthony and James were 2nd.

Sunday: sun and even more wind!

A blast once again out to the start area. The wind was up, so adjustments were being made to rigs. Tom and Rich started again just below the fleet rounding first and extending to the finish. Anthony and James second, Simon Kings and Jono Loe third.

In race 5, Simon and Jono had an epic shift from the right leading around the windward. Tom and Rich had a good second beat to round just behind Simon and Jono at the second windward and just managed to pass them at the hoist.

In race 6, Tom and Rich had a great race leading from start to finish.

First overall, Tom and Rich; second, having a very consistent series, Anthony and James; third, Simon and Jono.

A big thank you to GUL for sponsoring the event, Poole YC, the race officer and all volunteers that made the event a great one.

Anthony and James Willcocks take second in the Fireball Gul Golden Dolphin event at Poole - photo © Adam Deary

Overall Results: