80th Anniversary Firefly Championship at Tenby Sailing Club - Day 5

Good things come to those who wait

It's an old saying, and is only true sometimes, but it was certainly the case for the Firefly fleet, who have been waiting for the wind for a couple of days.

Heading back to shore on Day 4 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

Wednesday turned into a lay day of sorts, with an early breeze tempting the fleet out on to Carmarthen Bay, only for it to die off completely, so the sailors went back ashore, socialised, and then got the party started in style in the evening, which continued on into the small hours for many.

Sailors gather in the sunshine at the clubhouse on Day 4 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

Thursday started calm and scorchingly hot, but the forecast promised an afternoon breeze. After a couple of hours of postponement it looked like this was coming in, so the fleet went out, but the breeze came and went a couple of times.

During the lulls the heat continued to build, with sailors going for a swim to cool off, saying hello to the abundant and massive jellyfish in the bay.

Cooling off on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

Massive jellyfish on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

It was approaching 4pm, with many thinking it was going to be two days without sailing, but Race Officer Nigel Denchfield was in a determined mood. His, and the fleet's, patience was rewarded when the long-promised breeze came in and two cracking races were completed.

Chris Kameen and Jenny Johnson on F2937 'Smutty' took on pathfinder duty in the first race of the day, which they both described as 'vaguely terrifying' with a couple of attempts needed to get racing under way. The first go saw the pair come into the start area a touch late, then on the second round a group of later starters lined up too high, forcing Chris and Jenny to take away early, but the fleet was quickly regrouped and it was third time lucky.

Chris Kameen and Jenny Johnson (F2937) are pathfinders in the first race on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

The stars of the race were Jamie and Sylvie McEwen on F3615 'Skirmish', who led from start to finish. The father and daughter team from Lymington held off the charge of Ben Whaley and Rhona Enkel on F458, and were ecstatic as they crossed the finish line, with young Sylvie letting out a squeal of joy.

Jamie and Silvie McEwen win the first race on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

Ben and Rhona went one better in the second race of the day to take the winner's gun, and with it they have a commanding lead going into the final day ahead of Steve Tylecote and Tasha Armstrong on F3037 'Grasshopper' and Terry and Annabelle Hacker on F4438 in third.

Ben Whaley and Rhona Enkel with the second race on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

Wednesday provided a great moment to chat with some of the fleet, in particular the younger generation, to find out what they enjoyed most.

Alice Lucy, sailing F3837 'Normandy' with crew Issy Leetch said, "I like that everyone sails together, and you can helm and crew, and one year you might be helming a boat, next year crewing it, and it feels like a big sort of Firefly family. And if there's someone on shore that needs a crew, within five minutes there'll be five people waiting to sail with them, and everyone's willing to help everyone. It's my first time helming this year, and the amount of top tips you get, and people wanting to help you and come and check your boat is so nice, and it's a friendly atmosphere within the fleet."

A tight leeward mark rounding on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby - photo © Mark Jardine

Tom Onions, who is crewing F4 'Tic Tac' with helm Jamie Tylecoate, added, "I love how helpful all of the people are, and how willing people are to have a conversation and help you out if you're at the back or struggling, and having this dynamic environment where everyone really enjoys sailing and the young crowd is excellent. I think the social side has been fantastic. I've never seen so many people in one place having such a good time with no holds barred and a really great atmosphere, especially with people just staying late and with the adults and children getting involved as well. It's brilliant!"

80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 5 - photo © Mark Jardine

Ollie Meadowcroft is seen across a variety of classes, including the Merlin Rocket, Lark, Scorpion and RS200, and is very much enjoying the racing on F11 'Daddy Long Legs Too' with crew Hazel Jones, "I love the fact that it's such a simple and straightforward boat that anybody really can jump into for a week. It doesn't take a long time to sail it, but it takes, as many in the fleet will say, many many years to master it. I really like the massive student presence, as a result of the fact that many of these boats exist for team racing and people can just take them sailing whenever they like."

80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 5 - photo © Mark Jardine

Tonight the fleet is celebrating once again with the fancy dress party. After a very long and hot day on the water there were many tired faces after racing, but the atmosphere was buzzing ashore. Everyone is enjoying this week to the max, and may well need a week to recover afterwards.

More Mark Jardine photos can be found on flickr in the following galleries:

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5

Alongside Tideway Wealth and Gill Marine, the championship is supported by Craftinsure, whose Craftinsure Buddies scheme welcomes the newcomers who make up a quarter of the fleet, and Marlow Ropes, with class supporters Seldén, Hyde Sails and Sailboat Trailers.

80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 5 - photo © Mark Jardine

Find out more at www.tenbysailingclub.org.uk/2026-firefly-nationals

Results after Day 5: (full results can be found here)