Firefly National Championship 2025 at Lyme Regis Sailing Club - Days 1 & 2
by Jason Aldous 19 Aug 10:56 BST
16-22 August 2025
Firefly Nationals 2025 at Lyme Regis © David Beer
Thrilling adventures on the high seas
Race 1
The first race of the championship was nothing short of exhilarating, with Mother Nature throwing in a few surprises to keep everyone on their toes. With winds gusting at 15-20 knots from the southeast, the stage was set for a day of thrilling action on the water.
As the competitors lined up, a local dolphin decided to join the fun, swimming alongside with a few nudges here and there, loving the speed and fancy coloured hulls. It was as if this playful creature had chosen our sailors as its special companions for the day, adding a touch of magic to the already electric atmosphere.
The race itself was a spectacle of fantastic surfing, with big and sometimes breaking waves challenging even the most seasoned sailors. Sophia and Dom Johnson had a swim showing the dolphin their mast and a few others through the fleet. Finn Morris and Robbie Hudson took an early lead, rounding the windward mark with precision and sailing away from the pack.
However, the race wasn't without its drama. After two general recalls under the U flag, the race committee had to resort to the black flag to get the fleet away cleanly. Unfortunately, four boats fell victim to the black flag, but the remaining competitors pressed on with determination.
Race 1 Results: (top five)
1 Finn Morris and Robbie Hudson
2 Terry and Annabelle Hacker
3 Stuart and Lizzie Hudson
4 Oliver Meadowcroft and Hazel Jones
5 Roger Morris and Isobel Bretherton
Race 2 for the Sussex Silver Firefly
The fleet launched on Day 2 expecting similar conditions to the epic Surfing Festival that Lyme Bay provided on Sunday.
The sun held off and the predicted southerly never really established itself leaving the mornings light & shifty North easterly in play.
Jono & Freddie Pank in 1954 Pogie opened the gate as the mornings pathfinders and the fleet panned out across the bay.
First to the windward mark from the left was Arthur Greaves & Emma Breeze in 3616 Too Dolly, followed by Nigal Wakefield & Emily Saunderson in 3007, Tip Top Too. A tightly bunched pack followed them round and jostled down the reaches.
By the leeward mark, Arthur & Emma still lead from Nigel & Emily, with pathfinder's Jono & Freddie plus Finn Morris & Robbie Hudson in 3119 Horror and Jamie Tylecote & Alice Lucy in 3764 Tic Tac, having snuck out of the bunfight.
Up the second beat, The Pank's stayed on port, whilst the others tacked to the left, half way up the beat the two sides converged with the Panks crossing ahead.
The right hand shift persisted with a bit more pressure propelling The Panks into the lead at the second windward, followed by Arthur & Emma.
The race was shortened at the bottom of the run. The Panks taking the coveted Silver Firefly, Arthur & Emma holding onto second with Jamie & Alice sailing a blinding run to take the final podium spot.
Race 3
Baxter was pathfinder so there was the obvious crush to get out early.
Choppy swell remained and quicker boats were able to choose their moments in the shifts and varying pressure.
The right seemed to come in at the top of the 1st beat.
Baxter/ Vincent therefore ended up well placed as did Morris/ Hudson, Meadowcroft / Jones, Wakefield/ Sauderson, Cook / Hopkins and Caiger/ Gifford.
Good pressure down the first reach made for some good surfing but the wind began to shut down as the 2nd reach ended.
A big righty with pressure benefited boats out to that side - Jamie Tylecote and Alice Lucy gained most showing good speed to match good tactical choices.
The run was a long Port gybe and the next beat one long Starboard tack due to the persistent shift.
On the 2nd triangle the first reach was now a run and 2nd reach a port tack beat.
Race 3 finished after a further short upwind leg with a race win for Tylecote/ Lucy, Meadowcroft / Jones in 2nd and Cook / Hopkins 3rd.
The class would like to extend massive thanks to the 79th Tideway Firefly National Championships sponsors and supporters: Hyde Sails, Selden, Sailboat trailers, Marlow Ropes, South Coast Embroidery, Ovington Boats, Craftinsure and Tideway Wealth Management.