Firefly 'Ricky' open meeting at Rickmansworth Sailing Club
by Jono Pank 23 May 2025 10:12 BST
17 May 2025
Firefly 'Ricky' open meeting at Rickmansworth © Caroline Webb
The annual Firefly Open Meeting at Rickmansworth Sailing Club drew a competitive fleet of 19 boats gather on Saturday, 17th May 2025, with sailors travelling from across the country, from as far as South Staffs and Wroxham Broad.
The fleet arrived to see actual ripples on the lake, which held up throughout the day! The races were sailed in a moderate breeze, variable gusts and beautiful sunshine all day long.
The event delivered four thrilling races, all started under black flag, catching a few teams out.. each race testing the crews' patience, awareness and boat handling in typical 'Tricky Ricky' shifty and puffy conditions.
The opening race saw a clean start with Jono Pank & Issy Bretherton (4400) and Will Pank & Chloe Harding (3820) immediately pulling ahead of the pack with Jono & Issy leading narrowly for the first three rounds. A classic 'Ricky' final beat saw Will & Chloe lifted on the right and Jono & Issy lifted on the left... at the windward mark Will & Chloe held the starboard advantage and rounded ahead to take the first win, from Jono & Issy in second despite their early promise.
Keith and Chloe (3619) sailed a smart race to secure third. Alex Baxter & Jamuna (3476) (in her first ever firefly race!) claimed fourth, whilst Jason Aldous & Jo Mason (2065) recovered from a mid-fleet start to finish a solid fifth, setting the tone for their day.
Race 2 featured a wind shift on the first beat, catching several crews off guard. Will & Chloe (3820) adapted fastest, again taking the bullet. Jono & Issy's (4400) shroud pin fell out on the second beat ending their race. Keith & Chloe (3619) improved to second, demonstrating excellent upwind tactics and speed. Sophia & Dom Johnson (3154) made a significant leap, finishing fourth after a tight duel with Lucy Boreham & Rachel Crebbin (3739), who rounded out the top five. Jason & Jo (2065) succumbed to the black flag.
Following a glorious lunch provided by the fantastic Rickmansworth volunteers, the third race was marked by an increase in gusts, leading to some exciting mark roundings and a few moments.
Will & Chloe (3820) continued their streak with a third consecutive win, Jono & Issy(4400) bounced back to claim second. Keith & Chloe (3619) remained consistent in third. Alex & Jamuna (3476) sailed a strong race, finishing fourth, while Lucy & Rachel (3739) maintained their form in fifth. This time it was Sophia & Dom Johnson (3154) who picked up the black flag.
With the overall title already decided, Race 4 saw the fleet bunch tightly at the start. Jono & Issy's (4400) and Keith & Chloe (3619) headed the fleet from the first mark and held off a late charge from Sophia & Dom (3154), who finished third — their best result of the day. Richard & Caroline Webb (3353) also found their stride, finishing fourth. Chloe & Will (3820) swapped positions and scored a very creditable sixth-place finish.
At the finish, Jono & Issy realised they had been the black flag victims of race 4, elevating all the finishers up the scoresheet with Keith & Chloe (3619) taking the win.
At the end of the day Will & Chloe (3820) sailed a perfect series with three straight wins, showcasing consistency, speed, and solid puddle-sailing skills.
Keith & Chloe (3619) sailed really well, their steady results throughout the day earned them a well-deserved second overall.
Jason & Jo (2065) spent the day battling through the fleet to secure them third place overall.
Sarah & Wendy (376) got a notable prize with a combined age in the boat of 152!
Brilliant to see so many new faces joining the fleet and yet another fantastic event run by the Rickmansworth Team; can't wait to be back next year!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
|---|
| 1 | 3820 | Will | Chloe | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 3619 | Keith | Chloe | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | 2065 | Jason | Jo | 5 | 3 | 20 | 5 |
| 4 | 3476 | Alex | Jamuna | 4 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 5 | 3154 | Sophia | Dom | 10 | 4 | 20 | 2 |
| 6 | 3353 | Richard | Caroline | 7 | 7 | 12 | 4 |
| 7 | 3739 | Lucy | Rachel | 9 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| 8 | 2059 | Will | Esme | 6 | 10 | 9 | 7 |
| 9 | 4400 | Jono | Isobel | 2 | 20 | 2 | 20 |
| 10 | 3677 | Ollie | | 20 | 14 | 8 | 3 |
| 11 | 3741 | Ewan | Juliet | 11 | 12 | 6 | 9 |
| 12 | 3544 | Adam | Liv | 8 | 8 | 20 | 14 |
| 13 | 335 | Ben | Izzie | 12 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
| 14 | 88 | Will A | Darcy | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 |
| 15 | 376 | Sarah | Wendy | 15 | 13 | 7 | 15 |
| 16 | 3340 | Ben | Daisy | 20 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
| 17 | 3591 | Kelvin Palmer | | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 |
| 18 | 2282 | Andrea | Emily | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 |
| 19 | 3534 | Steve | Becky | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 |