Firefly Weekend 2025 at Spinnaker Sailing Club - including the The Twisted Tube and Vines Series

The Twisted Tube team racing during the Firefly Weekend at Spinnaker © James Oborne

Spinnaker Sailing Club's annual Firefly Weekend was run across Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November. The first day of the event is The Twisted Tube, a random pairs, bring your own boat team racing event, whilst the second day is a fleet racing open meeting, and the final event of the Firefly Class Association's Vines Series! Always a hotly contested weekend as the season closer many stalwarts of the class enter each year.

For sailors taking part in the Twisted Tube a brisk wind from the south west met them, promising a great day of racing for the 17 boats entered. Keen to get racing under way a first warning signal of 1027 was scheduled, and racing almost began on time, after a very short delay to get the final few boats launched.

With three umpire RIBs (manned by James Oborne, Mark Harrison and Daivd Bickerton) racing swiftly progressed thanks to rapid work from the start and finish team or Robert Marshall, Neil Franklin and Fi Edwards, with some great close battles running.

There was a small challenge as the racing hit the mid-teens as Spinnaker local Max Morgan suffered a snapped rudder blade in the pre-start period for one of his races. As Max was sailing his own boat (and not supplied by Organising Authority) rule D5 did not apply, meaning that several races were affected whilst he quickly headed ashore, sourced another rudder blade and got his boat re-rigged.

There was a brief lunch break ashore, before racing resumed, in a now easing (and shifting southerly) wind. The final few races were run, before a decision was made to end racing just after 3pm in the interests of fairness, and not being caught in no wind. As sailors returned ashore heavy rain arrived, stopping the final breaths of wind!

As sailors packed up and changed results were quickly calculated by Fi (with multiple tie breaks to be resolved) before the final results were announced with Ed Smith and Gilly Phillips in 1st place, Jamie and James Rudd-Jones in second and George Potter and Eloise in third. Sam and Victoria from Clares Court School claimed tenth overall and first Juniors.

Following the rather more challenging condition for the team racing on Saturday, Sunday dawned still and sunny, but the expected breeze filled in from the west. Race officer, Keith McQuillin, took inspiration from the Team Racing "S" course for multiple beats, reaches and runs, setting up for 2 x 10 minute laps per race.

The course was very ably managed by Robert Marshall, the club's Rear Commodore (Sailing) and club stalwart Philip Hoggart. Neil Franklin, the club's Lead Instructor provided excellent support from the bank. Early on, the races followed that pattern almost exactly - well done Keith. In glorious sunshine the racing was enjoyed by the 19 boats and was super close. Will Pank and cousin Freddie, set the pace early on, with Steve Tylecote and Tash Armstrong winning the second and fourth races, it was very close at the top.

Vines Series finale open emeting during the Firefly Weekend at Spinnaker - photo © Neil Franklin

After four races, the breeze began to die, and refreshed after lunch, the fleet returned for the fifth race to find the breeze easing all the time, and the fleet drifted home as the breeze slipped away. After 20 minutes, the Race Officer called it a day.

At the prize-giving, Philip Tinsley (Club Commodore) thanked all the competitors for coming, and hoped they all enjoyed the close racing. Prizes were awarded to:

The top five boats were all beautifully restored wooden hulls, with a Spinnaker Club Team racing boat in 6th.

Overall Results:

Fastest Junior helm - Poppy A