2024 Fireball Australian National Championship at Royal Geelong Yacht Club - Overall
by Chris Payne 10 Feb 09:00 GMT
5-16 Februay 2024
Fireball Australian Nationals at Geelong day 3 © Tom Smeaton
Day 3 mirrored the conditions of the previous two days, with a consistent southerly wind ranging between 12 to 15 knots. The wind direction and strength posed similar challenges to sailors, maintaining the competitive atmosphere on the water.
In Race 6, the fleet adopted a split strategy, with boats dispersing to both sides of the course. Tom Gillard & Andy Thompson (GBR) demonstrated astute tactical decision-making by capitalising on the right-hand side of the course. However, leading them to the right was Myles Gavin & Darren Spence (AUS) but a capsize during the tack to the mark pushed them back in the standings.
Despite challenges, Gillard & Thompson maintained their lead throughout the race, securing victory ahead of Heather Macfarlane & Chris Payne (AUS), followed by Dave Hall & Paul Constable (GBR).
Race 7 showcased the prowess of Tom Gillard & Andy Thompson once again, as they almost dominated from start to finish, displaying consistent performance the races they sailed. However Peter Moor & Campbell Reid led around the first mark. Peter hasn't sailed a Fireball for a while but won the 1966/67 Australian Championships and shows age is not a barrier.
Dave Hall & Paul Constable emerged as strong contenders, closely trailing Gillard & Thompson throughout the race, especially on the final downwind leg.
DJ Edwards & Vyv Townend (GBR) showcased resilience, securing a close third position despite missing the first race due to gear failure, demonstrating their ability to adapt and perform under pressure.
Overall, Dave Hall & Paul Constable (GBR) clinched a decisive victory in the regatta, showcasing exceptional skill and consistency throughout the championship.
Ben Schulz & Angus Higgins (AUS) emerged as the new Australian Champions, following a hard-fought battle, notably contending against Tom Gordon & Jack Fletcher.
Now all eyes move onto next week when the 2024 Fireball Worlds start in earnest on Sunday the 11th February.
Overall Results:
Pos | Sail Num | Boat Name | Skipper | Crew | Club | R7 | R6 | R5 | R4 | R3 | R2 | R1 | Pts |
1 | 15101 | SUNSET | Dave Hall | Paul Constable | | 2 | 3 | 1 | [9] | 1 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
2 | 15159 | RIP TIDE | Ben Schulz | Angus Higgins | ASC | 7 | [12] | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 25 |
3 | 15144 | MONDO | Dj Edwards | Vyv Townend | BBSC | 3 | DNF | 3 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 28 |
4 | 15071 | CLETUS | Tom Gordon | Jack Fletcher | ASC | 10 | 4 | [11] | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 32 |
5 | 15152 | I MOUNT BOOKS | Heather Macfarlane | Chris Payne | BRYC | [23] | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 34 |
6 | 14933 | FIERCE CREATURE | Ben Knoop | James Belton | LBSC | 4 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 8 | [9] | 8 | 38 |
7 | 15026 | BLACK PEARL | Brendan Garner | Ben O'Brien | RGYC | 9 | 7 | [14] | 10 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 43 |
8 | 15000 | RAGING BULL | Kevin Hope | William Cook | NCSC | 6 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 4 | [13] | 44 |
9 | 15153 | STAY TUNED | Jalina Thompson‑Kambas | Nathan Stockley | LBSC | 5 | 5 | 6 | 12 | [16] | 8 | 9 | 45 |
10 | 14599 | ZIG ZAG | Sophie Jackson | Josh Galland | MYC | 13 | [34] | 7 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 54 |
11 | 15063 | 2V1 | Johanka Napravnik Koranova | Jakub Napravnik Kora | YC Neratovice | 11 | [18] | 8 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 57 |
12 | 15062 | THE BIG BANG THEORY | Addy Bucek | Peter James | Rgyc | 12 | 17 | 13 | [17] | 7 | 12 | 11 | 72 |
13 | 14897 | SUPI‑CHISCHTLI | Kurt Venhoda | Sonja Zaugg | SVM | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 19 | 16 | [23] | 86 |
14 | 14936 | SUGAR AND SPICE | Petr Koran | Jan Will | YC Neratovice | 20 | [28] | 20 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 102 |
15 | 15027 | THE GREY GHOST | Phil Peverell | Bruce Shand | FYC | [27] | 15 | 15 | 22 | 11 | 18 | 22 | 103 |
16 | 14851 | WAVEWALKABOUT | Mark Jarred | Glenn Stewart | GSC | 18 | [33] | 17 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 26 | 109 |
17 | 15122 | NORTH SAILS ALLEN BROS ROBLINE | Thomas Gillard | Andy Thompson | SHSC | 1 | 1 | DNC | 1 | DNC | DNC | 1 | 112 |
18 | 14608 | HOT WIRE | Myles Gavin | Darren Spence | RGYC | 17 | 13 | 24 | [27] | 18 | 26 | 19 | 117 |
19 | 15049 | SCATTER GUN | Nick Gunner | Simon Gunner | RGYC | [31.5] | 23 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 17 | 119 |
20 | 15166 | MINI ME | Simon Kings | Johno Loe | | 15 | 8 | 9 | DNC | DNF | 11 | 24 | 121 |
21 | 15048 | NOT YOUR AVERAGE ROCKSTARS | Nicholas Rees | Eveline Schotte | HISC | 29 | 11 | 19 | 18 | 25 | 22 | [34] | 124 |
22 | 15081 | KEN | Olivier Burgaud | Florence Devaux | CNSR | 24 | 21 | 22 | [34] | 21 | 21 | 21 | 130 |
23 | 15025 | HARD TO HANDLE | Mark Matthews | Peter Sinclair | MBTBC | DNF | 19 | 18 | 15 | 29 | 20 | 31 | 132 |
24 | 14814 | WHATSTHE STORY...? | Susannah Gillam | Andrew Butler | RGYC | 22 | 26 | [29] | 25 | 17 | 17 | 25 | 132 |
25 | 14414 | OUTBACK DINGOS | Glenn Peverell | Bruno Lanati | FYC | 21 | [37] | 16 | 29 | 30 | 15 | 29 | 140 |
26 | 14747 | TEAM ALLEN | Vincent Horey | Andrew Perry | KGSC | 16 | 10 | 23 | 28 | DNC | DNC | 12 | 143 |
27 | 14673 | CONDOR | Claude Mermod | Esteban Hernandez | CVM | 25.5 | 16 | 37 | 33 | 20 | [42] | 18 | 149.5 |
28 | 14603 | FRED | Tony Mcrae | Benjamin Doak | tba | 19 | 27 | 30 | 23 | 27 | 30 | [30] | 156 |
29 | 14810 | TABU SORO | Benjamin Garner | Sam Williamson | RGYC | 31.5 | 24 | 21 | 26 | 32 | [33] | 28 | 162.5 |
30 | 14812 | VIPER | Peter Moor | Campbell Reid | BSC | 8 | 31 | 28 | 35 | DNC | DNC | 16 | 172 |
31 | 14649 | SILVER SURFER | William Townson | Ben Townson | IHYC | 30 | [38] | 33 | 31 | 28 | 25 | 33 | 180 |
32 | 14601 | COP YOU LATER | Rod Barker | Darrell Ralph | PYC | 42 | 29 | 32 | 38 | DNF | 19 | 27 | 187 |
33 | 14793 | FATHER AND SON | Jean Francois Nouel | Alexis Nouel | cnp | 36 | 32 | DSQ | 30 | 24 | 34 | 32 | 188 |
34 | 15072 | FREE BALLN | Scott Lidgett | Jack Lidgett | DBYC | 28 | 36 | 27 | 24 | 23 | DNC | DNC | 192 |
35 | 15032 | NO TEARS | Tony Schnaars | Marc Wilson | CYCSA | 25.5 | 39 | 39 | [40] | 31 | 29 | 38 | 201.5 |
36 | 15054 | GRISU | Fabio Palermi | Adriana Curcio | cvr | 37 | 35 | [41] | 39 | 26 | 28 | 40 | 205 |
37 | 15017 | BALL BREAKEN | Adrian Lee | Ossian Geraghty | SYC | DNC | DNC | 34 | 20 | DNC | 27 | 20 | 207 |
38 | 14826 | BALLDERDASH | Frank Miller | Ed Butler | DMYC | 38 | 42 | 36 | 36 | 22 | 36 | [42] | 210 |
39 | 14545 | INVICTUS | Richard Quinlan | Liam Quinlan | CYC/SMSC | 35 | 30 | 35 | [45] | 37 | 38 | 36 | 211 |
40 | 15154 | DARKSIDE | Peter Durran | Sebastian Durran | RGYC | 33 | 25 | 31 | 37 | DNC | DNC | 35 | 215 |
41 | 14571 | SALTY BEACHES | Allan Tyler | Christine Tyler | | 53C | 20 | 26 | 21 | DNC | DNC | DNC | 228 |
42 | 14586 | TEMERITOUS | Jaemie Wilson | David Scammell | Albert SC | 34 | 41 | [43] | 41 | 33 | 40 | 41 | 230 |
43 | 14943 | ROCK STARS | Mark Teasdale | Andrew Kean | CCSC | 40 | 47 | 40 | UFP | 36 | 31 | 37 | 231 |
44 | 15106 | SMOKIN GUN | Mark Cummings | Evelyn Chisholm | CBSA | 39 | 40 | 48 | 32 | DNF | 35 | 43 | 237 |
45 | 14745 | COMPLETE COMBUSTION | Jessica De La Perrelle | James Gaskell | LBSC | 41 | 43 | 38 | 43 | DNF | 32 | 44 | 241 |
46 | 11867 | SIDNEY | Kevin Luff | Nicholas Luff | MOFSC | 43 | [46] | 42 | 42 | 34 | 39 | 45 | 245 |
47 | 15090 | SUPI‑CHISCHTLI | Mona Venhoda | Elena Landerer | SVM | DNC | 45 | 44 | 44 | 35 | 41 | 39 | 248 |
48 | 13946 | STORM | Shannon Gallins | Eric Diller | CBSA | 44 | 44 | 45 | [47] | 38 | 37 | 46 | 254 |
49 | 10974 | SEQUEL | Peter Russell | Jen Russell | WYC | 45 | [49] | 46 | 48 | 39 | 43 | 47 | 268 |
50 | 11059 | ZOUINE | Denis Hernandez | Bourel Pascale | CVM | 46 | 48 | 49 | 46 | 40 | DNC | DNC | 283 |
51 | 15136 | SWOOSH | James Hackett | Michael Parks | RBYC | DNC | 22 | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 291 |
52 | 14782 | RETURN TO JEDHI | Barbara Newson | Guy Newson | | DNC | DNF | 47 | 49 | DNC | 44 | DNC | 300 |