Firefly Vines Travellers Series at West Oxfordshire Sailing Club

Firefly Vines Travellers Series at West Oxfordshire SC © Stewart Eaton

The West Oxfordshire Sailing Club Firefly Open, part of the 2025 Firefly Class 'Vines' Travellers Series, was held on 18-19 October in conditions that could politely be described as "two entirely different sports".

Across ten highly competitive races, the event showcased the best of inland Firefly racing — hard course boundaries, numerous lead changes, tight mark roundings, and the kind of unpredictable shifts that keep crews guessing from start to finish.

Saturday opened under a gentle autumn sun with a light, teasing breeze. The race team — organised, alert, and well-supplied with homemade cake — managed five smooth races over a thoughtfully set course that used the unusual south easterly, blowing straight down the lake, to set a great 4 buoy, predominantly windward leeward, course taking in every inch of the lake.

The day produced 4 different race winners from the 5 races, no place seemed secure and opportunities presented themselves from start to finish. Jono and Freddie Pank (F4400, Castle Cove SC), took an early series lead with a string of top-two finishes. Alex Baxter and Bea Burrows (F2246) were ever-present near the front, claiming a race win of their own as well as the fast charging Leo and Lily Dixon (F3840, West Kirby SC) who claimed their own race win as well as a string of podium places, unfortunately unable to stay for Sunday but certainly not unnoticed.

Very close behind, Jenny Smallwood and Philip Aldous (F3625, WOSC) used local knowledge to full effect, taking a win, & being denied another due to an unfortunate OCS, to end the first day well in contention. With another 5 races scheduled for Sunday, there was all to play for with 5 points separating the top four teams.

Ashore, the famous warmth of WOSC hospitality shone through. The galley team dished out a fabulous handmade cottage pie for lunch plus an afternoon tea that arguably deserved their own prize. The evening's social extended in fine tradition — hearty food, relaxed laughter, and rumours of some serious pool-table hustling.

Firefly Vines Travellers Series at West Oxfordshire SC - photo © Stewart Eaton

Sunday began grey, gusty, and full of mischief. The southeast wind strengthened through the morning with a sprinkling of rain to Coll the competitors, prompting the race officer to keep courses brisk and tactical. The change in conditions suited the two teams of Jenny Smallwood and Philip Aldous and Jono and Freddie Pank who handled the conditions and timed their runs to the front to split the day's races between them.

Very close behind them, Alex Baxter and Bea Burrows (F2246) and Jason Aldous and Jo Mason (F2025, Papercourt SC) picked up the day's podium places.

In the end Jono and Freddie Pank held on to win the weekend, Jenny Smallwood and Aldous were not far behind, racking up a remarkable five top-two finishes in Sunday's five races to clinch second overall — and first among WOSC's home fleet. Baxter and Burrows proved consistent as ever, rounding out the top three ahead of Jason Aldous and Jo Mason who put in a solid performance throughout the breezy session.

Further down the results, the battle for fifth and sixth was a WOSC family affair — James Ball & Esme Hemmingway narrowly edging Oli and Bea Burrows after a day of close, friendly, occasionally noisy rivalry.

A heartfelt thanks goes to the WOSC race team, led with calm confidence across both light and heavy conditions. Their sharp course management, safety cover, and good humour made for a slick and joyous event. The galley and volunteer crews deserve special applause for producing an endless supply of amazing homemade hot lunches, cakes, and teas that kept competitors fuelled and smiling.

West Oxford once again proved why it remains one of the friendliest clubs in the Firefly calendar — combining impeccable organisation with genuine warmth. A truly memorable weekend, full of competition, camaraderie, and cake: the very spirit of the Vines Series.

Firefly Vines Travellers Series at West Oxfordshire SC - photo © Stewart Eaton

Overall Results: