Firefly National Championship 2025 at Lyme Regis Sailing Club - Day 4: Sir Ralph Gore Trophy
by Steve Tylecote 21 Aug 2025 09:37 BST
16-22 August 2025
Sir Ralph Gore Trophy day during the Firefly Nationals 2025 at Lyme Regis © Optical Marine
The 2025 Sir Ralph Gore Trophy was contested on Wednesday on the waters off Lyme Regis. The course was a set of 4 equilateral triangles and then a final beat making 13 nautical miles in total.
A shifty offshore wind of force 2 to 4 was provided by the highly efficient race committee. They organised some current pushing the fleet back so the 74 boat fleet got off the line start first time. The windward mark was set under the mighty Golden Cap the highest bit of cliff on the entire south coast.
A breakaway threesome dominated the race front with last years winners Terry and Annabelle Hacker initially organising the front of the race. Pogie sailed by Jono and Freddie Pank were also in the three and joined by Daddy Long Legs Too sailed by Ollie Meadowcroft and Hazel Jones. Ultimately the threesome was handsomely led to the finish line by Pogie to take the Gore Honours.
The dolphin that has chased the fleet around followed (and made contact with) Alice Lucy having followed TicTac for an entire lap.
Tactically the shifts dominated the decisions that had to be made and being on the wrong corner could end your day big time. The best pressure and angles were mostly found on the left side but only a gambler would go the whole way to the lay line for fear of sailing a header back or a big over stand.
The top three broke away and the chasing pack was led by Horror and then Kong with Grasshopper coming in 6th.
It's a huge silver trophy, surely nobody can fill it with bubbly and down it in one! The whole fleet will have to help.
The Marlow Trophy was won by 11 year old Arthur and Dad Douglas Pattinson finishing in an impressive 11 overall.
Massive thanks to our 79th Tideway Firefly National Championships sponsors and supporters, Hyde Sails, Selden, Sailboat trailers, Marlow Ropes, South Coast Embroidery, Ovington Boats, Coastwatersports, Craftinsure and Tideway Wealth Management.