Tremendous Tuesday in Tor Bay on Day 3 of the Fireball Worlds

After a light start on Tuesday in Torquay, with a covering of hazy cloud, the breeze started to fill in to provide a cracking day of sailing for the Fireball World Championship fleet.

A remarkably consistent 15 knot South Easterly allowed two more races to be held, with just a half hour postponement ashore to allow the wind to fill in.

Race 5 finish on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

There were complications on launching with a large pleasure cruiser, the Porpoise Princess, tied up to the slipway after developing a problem and needing an urgent repair under the waterline. Undeterred, the dedicated team of volunteers worked with the competitors to get them all off Haldon Pier, into the harbour, and out into Tor Bay in double-quick time, meaning they could all enjoy the best of the conditions.

The slipway on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

The performance of the day was by Georgia Booth and Ollie Davenport, recording a first and a second place to move up to second overall, with the recently crowned UK Champions recording their first race win in race 5, becoming the fifth different race winner in five races.

Georgia Booth and Oliver Davenport on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend then built a commanding lead in race 6, winning by a huge margin and becoming the first team to win two races. They have now regained the yellow jerseys from Peter Gray and Richard Pepperdine, who have dropped to fifth overall with the first discard applied.

A massive lead for DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend in Race 6 on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

While there are many established names from the dinghy sailing scene in the fleet, there is a remarkable amount of younger talent coming through. The Fireball dinghy is steeped in history, but is immensely proud that it has become a go-to class for many sailors who have stepped out of youth squad classes and are looking for a new challenge.

Young Guns on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

The Fireball is proving a superb choice for those who are looking to progress their knowledge, but maybe aren't going into the Olympic classes. The young guns can take on some of the world's best and canniest dinghy sailors, while also learning an immense amount about rig tuning. Gabs Burlton has recently left the 420 and is now helming in the fleet with dad Craig crewing for her. Parent and child sailing like this is providing a superb way to pass knowledge down the generations and bring new sailors into the fleet, and the class is actively encouraging the new recruits.

Gabs and Craig Burlton on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

The Irish pairing of Daniel and Harry Thompson didn't have their best day on Tuesday, but are enjoying the racing immensely as Daniel said, "It was really good conditions to be fair, up to 15-16 knots by the end of the day, and the forecast this morning seemed like it wasn't going to be anything like. It was really good fun."

Daniel and Harry Thompson on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

It was good craic out there. The chop was a bit of a challenge, but I think everyone managed it the best they could.", Harry added.

On the launch team helping get the fleet launched Harry said, "The team's fantastic. They all have their roles and they know them well. We went one by one, just because of how big the Porpoise Princess is, and everyone got out in time for racing."

On the Fireball itself Daniel said, "They're just a fun boat really. They're quite tweaky, lots of ropes to play with, and they're fast when it's breezy as well."

There were some experienced spectators on the race course today, and even more ashore, for the Fireball Legends Night. Some of the great champions of the class, and from sailing in general, joined the fleet in the Royal Torbay Yacht Club for an evening of reminiscing, with many telling tales about their time in the class. The club was packed to the rafters to hear the stories, with many catching up with old friends for the first time in years.

The likes of John Caig, Phil and Stevie Morrison, Bob Turner, Crispin Read-Wilson, Andy Barker, Paul Withers and Richard Parslow celebrated the past, soaking in the atmosphere of the championship, while also noting the bright future the class has with the younger sailors coming through.

Legends Night on Day 3 of the 2026 Fireball World Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - photo © Mark Jardine

Wednesday is a day off for the fleet, and I'm sure many will enjoy a well-deserved lie-in, then a relaxed breakfast in one of the many cafés along the waterfront, and maybe a bit of boat bimbling ahead of the final two days of the championship on Thursday and Friday.

Thank you to all the sponsors whose support helped make this championship possible: P&B Sails, North Sails, Allen Brothers, Robline, WEST SYSTEM Pro-Set, Windermark and the Wetsuit Outlet.

Find out more at 2026.fireballworlds.com

Results after Day 3: