WinderMark Fireball Inland Championship at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club

Fireball Inlands 2026 at Yorkshire Dales © Paul Hargreaves Photography

After a 15-year absence, the Fireball fleet returned to Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club for the 2026 WinderMark Fireball Inland Championship, where dramatically contrasting conditions produced a memorable weekend at Grimwith Reservoir.

Saturday began with horizontal rain and a reduced racing area caused by low water levels. With 16 Fireballs sharing a short start line and a compact course, the racing featured tight mark roundings, repeated capsizes and plenty of place changes.

Fireball Inlands 2026 at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Paul Cullen and Vyv Townend mastered the conditions, winning both Saturday races. Harry Lucas and Ollie Davenport opened with a second place before finishing third in race two, while Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray recorded a third and a second.

Only around 10 boats completed the opening race, with that number falling to eight in race two, demonstrating just how demanding the conditions had become.

Fireball Inlands 2026 at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Ashore, the fleet enjoyed locally brewed beer and an excellent three-course curry, accompanied by the usual Fireball banter and stories from the recent World Championships.

Sunday presented an entirely different challenge. Racing was postponed for more than two hours as the breeze repeatedly threatened to arrive, only to disappear again beneath the changing cloud.

Fireball Inlands 2026 at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

At around 11.45 am, signs of a pre-breeze persuaded the Officer of the Day to make the brave decision to send the fleet afloat. One race was completed in steadily decreasing wind, with Kevin Hope and Andy Stewart judging the difficult conditions superbly to take the win.

Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray finished second after a good tussle around the course, while Ollie and Ben Rayner completed the race-three podium in third. With the breeze continuing to fade, no further racing was possible.

Fireball Inlands 2026 at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Paul Cullen and Vyv Townend's two Saturday victories were enough to secure the 2026 WinderMark Fireball Inland Championship title. Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray's consistent scorecard earned them second overall, with Sunday race winners Kevin Hope and Andy Stewart completing the championship podium in third.

The weekend tested competitors at both ends of the weather spectrum, from Saturday's physical survival sailing to Sunday's delicate search for every remaining patch of pressure.

Fireball Inlands 2026 at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Huge thanks go to Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, the Officer of the Day, race team, safety crews, galley volunteers and everyone involved in welcoming the Fireball fleet back to Grimwith. After a 15-year wait, the return delivered close racing, challenging conditions and a thoroughly enjoyable championship.

Overall Results: