Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 YY - LEADERBOARD
Product Feature
Zhik Men's Hydrophobic Fleece Top
Zhik Men's Hydrophobic Fleece Top

Fireball European Championship at Unione Velica Maccagno - Day 1

by Frank Miller 15 Sep 19:53 BST 14-20 September 2024
The fleet rigging during the Fireball Europeans at Maccagno © Frank Miller

Perfect sailing conditions greeted the 75 boat Fireball fleet for the opening of the European Championship at Maccagno today. Earlier in the morning there was a steady twenty knot Northerly breeze up the lake.

By the time the fleet were afloat that had dropped to about ten knots but with some decent gusts. After one postponed start the boats got away off the the line with a majority of the fleet bunched towards the pin as the better pressure appeared to be along the left hand shoreline.

With a course of Triangle/Sausage there was a little overtaking on the reaches and on the run but those who went hard or middle left seemed to come out ahead. Ultimately the race was won by DJ Edwards & Viv Townend with Vince Horey & Dave Wade second. DJ went middle left up the beat and found clear lanes to get through to the front. Third were Charles Lecalvex & Ludovic Collin. Fourth place were Ed Og Butler & Iso Inan. There were a sprinkling of UFD disqualifications under the U flag, the most tragic being Claude Mermod & Ruedi Moser who would have finished in the top three.

After race one the wind lightened and went slightly north west and the race committee waited for a reasonable and steady breeze to settle, but after an hour or more waiting the postponed flag went up and the fleet headed ashore. The forecast for the rest of the event looks quite light and with that in mind an 8.30am start has been posted for the first race tomorrow (Monday) to use the morning breeze.

Full results so far can be found here.

Related Articles

Fireball Europeans at Maccagno overall
A big reversal of fortunes on the final day Claude Mermod & Ruedi Moser have won the Fireball European Championship at Maccagno after three races on the final day of the event. Posted on 20 Sep
Fireball Europeans at Maccagno Day 4
The fleet had an early rise again on Thursday The fleet had an early rise again on Thursday with racing slated for an 8.30am start and four races scheduled. Posted on 19 Sep
Fireball Europeans at Maccagno Day 3
Finally some fantastic conditions for the fleet Fireballs enjoyed fantastic conditions at Maccagno for day three of their European Championship. The fleet again faced an early alarm call for an 8.30am start, but racing was postponed for a short while as the breeze was perpendicular to the narrow lake. Posted on 17 Sep
Fireball Europeans at Maccagno Day 2
An early start, but the morning breeze failed to materialise The fleet rose early for an 8.30 am start but the morning breeze failed to materialise, leading to a four hour postponement. At the afternoon regrouping there was a further short postponement before a 4/5 knot southerly breeze filled in. Posted on 16 Sep
Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024
60th edition attracs 383 entries across 20 different fleets As Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024 reached its last-day climax, there was still all to sail for in many of the 20 different fleets competing. Posted on 2 Sep
Fireball Irish Nationals at Crosshaven
Barry McCartin and Conor Kinsella win the eight-race series Barry McCartin and Conor Kinsella are Fireball National Champions after an eight-race series at RCYC Crosshaven over Friday, Saturday and Sunday supported by Waterman Kelly Consulting Engineers. Posted on 19 Aug
Fireball UK Nationals at Rock overall
Final day North Westerly kicks up some interesting waves against the tide On the final day the North West wind, although not very strong, was kicking up some interesting waves against the tide. Posted on 25 Jul
Fireball UK Nationals at Rock day 3
Added chop on top of long yawning Atlantic waves With another three races planned for the day to catch up from Saturday's abandonment the fleet took to the ocean in a much breezier conditions than day 2 a steady force 4 with chop on top of long yawning Atlantic waves. Posted on 23 Jul
Fireball Ulster Championship at Mullaghmore
One suspects that fleet will return to this fantastic location before too long The Irish Fireball Association summer Championship circuit blasted ahead at the weekend with some stunning sailing conditions at Mullaghmore Sailing Club. With an entry of 25 boats for this Ulster Championship momentum in the class continues to build. Posted on 23 Jul
Fireball UK Nationals at Rock Day 1
The day dawned with heavy rain and a promising breeze The Fireballs are holding their Championship deep into Cornwall, sailing out of Rock on the Camel Estuary. The first day dawned with heavy rain but a promising breeze. Posted on 21 Jul