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Gul Fireball UK National Championship 2023 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Overall

by UKFA 29 Jul 2023 16:57 BST 22-25 July 2023

The weather forecast for the final day of the championship was not encouraging with light opposing winds and rain showers promised. The fleet were held on shore until a light south easterly filled in. The plan was the get the last two races away before the cut off time.

After the first black flag of the week Arran and Will won the pin end going left and took an early lead. The usual suspects joined them apart from Kevin & Andy and Dave & Paul who went right, they looked dead until a late shift allowed them to join the front runners. A battle ensued between the top three challenging for the championship. Arran & Will held onto the lead to take their first gun while Tom & Andy pulled up to 2nd. Dave & Paul and DJ & Vyv had a close battle to the end only just holding off light wind specialists Allan & Chrissie Tyler. As the wind died to the finish DJ & Vyv pipped Dave & Paul. The last race of the day never happened as the wind continued to die and come in from all directions. This left Tom & Andy Champions and DJ & Vyv on equal points with Dave & Paul but DJ & Vyv taking the runner up place on count back.

Gul Fireball UK Nationals at Torbay - Prizegiving - photo © UKFA
Gul Fireball UK Nationals at Torbay - Prizegiving - photo © UKFA

The Nationals is not just about the overall winners. There are many prizes and categories through the fleet that include young and old, along with the spot prizes and free Gul gloves the fleet did very well!

A fantastic event run by the very efficient team at RTYC, a big thankyou to them. Thanks must also go to the main sponsor Gul along with P&B and North Sails.

Category Results

Under 26 Helm, Rachel Elliott
Under 26 Crew, William Heathcoat
1st Under 26 boat, Rachel Elliot & Rory Stretch
Toby Hammer Trophy, Rachel Elliot & Rory Stretch
1st Lady Helm, Georgia Booth
1st Lady Crew, Chrissie Tyler
1st Master Helm, DJ Edwards
1st Master Crew, Andy Thompson
1st Grand Master Helm, Dave Hall
1st Grand Master Crew, Chrissie Tyler
Most improved team, Simon Kings & Jon Loe
1st Classic boat, Jemima & Jo Line
Perseverance trophy, Hatty Norman & Emilie Hood

Gold
1 Tom & Andy
2 DJ & Vyv
3 Dave & Paul

Silver
1 Mike Dean & Richard Botting
2 Allan Tyler & Chrissie Tyler
3 Simon Lomas & Rob Daniels

Bronze
1 Jemima & Jo Line
2 Damian Abbatt & Steve Digby
3 Jason Cahill & Kerry Webb

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Fireball nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

PosNatSail NoBoat NameFleetHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Pts
1stGBR15122 GoldThomas GillardAndy ThompsonStaunton Harold SC3‑41121210
2ndGBR15144 GoldDJ EdwardsVyv TownendBough Beech SC1124‑63415
3rdGBR15155Not SoGoldDavid HallPaul ConstableBlackwater SC224214‑515
4thGBR15113 GoldArran HolmannWilliam HeathcoteSutton Sailing Club53335‑8120
5thGBR15133 GoldKevin HopeAndy StuartNotts county sailing club67667‑22335
6thGBR15091 GoldGraham CookWilliam CookLyme Regis Sailing Club889736‑1241
7thGBR15166Good VibrationsGoldSimkn KingsJono LoeHisc7659‑13101350
8thGBR15120Team Allen / Pinbax.comGoldVincent HoreyJames HuntKing George Sailing Club45(DNF)111212852
9thGBR14940ShrekGoldGeorgia BoothFresh AbendsternHISC / RDNBYC12‑22155152958
10thGBR14928Blue TackGoldAnthony WillcocksJames WillcocksPortishead Yacht and Sailing Club16‑21128109762
11thGBR14941SouthpawsGoldDerian ScottAndy scottChew Valley Lake SC1191313117‑1464
12thGBR15127AlanSilverMike DeaneRichard BottingDraycote Water‑19147121451567
13thGBR15086Granny on the wireSilverAllan TylerChrissi TylerLyme Regis SC151017109‑20667
14thGBR14785WolSilverSimon Lomas ClarkeRob DanielsTCYC9138‑178141668
15thGBR14837JeffGoldRuss CormackAli CormackBudworth Sailing Club17‑2521184111081
16thGBR15045NorbertSilverChristine SlaterGraham SlaterPaignton S C14‑20101619151892
17thGBR15041 SilverMaria RichardsGraham HoyBlackwater2112161516‑2621101
18thGBR15096DacyhrysSilverMichael WhitehouseAdam WhitehouseChelmarsh / Whitstable13151421‑221722102
19thGBR15115Wave RiderSilverMark JarredNigel SheppardBlackwater Sailing Club‑24161914181817102
20thGBR15148 SilverBryan SargeantWilliam SargeantDabchicks Sailing club101111272424(DNC)107
21stGBR14844BuckarooGoldKath BroatchThomas BroatchPort Dinorwic231818‑26231320115
22ndGBR15075Tricks of the TradeSilverAndy WillcocksAndrea WillcocksPortishead Y & SC2224(RET)23212111122
23rdCAN15024PointlessSilverJoe JospeTom EgliPointe Claire Yacht Club1817242220‑2524125
24thGBR14754A spot of botherSilverAndrew ServiceChris OwenDelphRET(DNC)2219171627133
25thGBR14889Milleinm FalconSilverBarry SmithRick SpringThornbury Sailing Club20192025‑282726137
26thGBR14391BlueBronzeJemima LineJo LinePortishead Y & SC2523‑2824252325145
27thGBR15046SlippersSilverPhillip PoppleJames PoppleShoreham Sailing Club(DNC)DNCDNC20261919150
28thGBR14994 BronzeDamian AbbattSteve DigbyDraycote Water Sailing Club272623‑28272823154
29thGBR14876The fat and the furiousBronzeJason CahillKerry WebbClub Hwylio Y Felinheli/PDSC / Bartley S262726293029(DNC)167
30thGBR14805LunaBronzeHatty NormanEmilie HoodBlackwater Sailing Club282825‑30293029169
31stGBR14574Pier pressureBronzeRachel ElliottRory StretchClevedon Sailing club(NSC)292731313130179
32ndGBR15168DiamondBronzePaul DaviesJeni DaviesStarcross Yacht ClubRET(DNC)DNCDNCDNSDNC28192

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