Fireball Open Meeting at Shoreham Sailing Club

Day 1 of the Fireball Open Meeting at Shoreham © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Day 1 of the Fireball Open Meeting at Shoreham © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

With a fantastic forecast, the annual combined Fireball / Merlin open meeting at Shoreham attracted 52 boats. Reputed for its easy launching, and amazing guaranteed sunshine, wind and waves Shoreham did not disappoint, and neither did the weather.

With the Gul Fireball worlds only 2 weeks away, and over 100 entries, Shoreham was the last warm up event. Of the top teams, only Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey sailed both days, with DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend turning up on Sunday to stretch their legs.

Race 1 got away in a stable 15kts of breeze and Andy Palmer-Felgate sailing with Richard Anderton stamped their authority on the race by leading from the start, and after a 3 lap duel with Christian and Sam clinched 1st place by a matter of boat lengths. Vince Horey and Bob Gardner (DC) came in third.

Race 2 saw Andy and Richard start firmly last after a start line 'racing incident' and a long swim. Christian and Sam, and Vince and DC – both also temporarily hindered by the afore mentioned incident - managed to pull through the fleet to take 1st and 2nd, with Andy recovering to 3rd.

Day 1 of the Fireball Open Meeting at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Further down the fleet, and the action was close fought as well, most of the fleet finished within minutes of each other, and places were not certain until the finish line. Phil Popple sailing with Andy Phillips posted an impressive 4th in the second race; while locals Martin Walker and John Piatt held in for a respectable 9th.

After the customary BBQ and the annual egg throwing competition, the fleet relaxed in the bar for the rest of the evening in preparation for more fantastic conditions on Sunday.

DJ and Vyvo turned up on Sunday and managed to take 1st in race 3 – though they had to fight hard with Vince and DC all the way around the course. Andy and Christian fought it out for 3rd, with Andy just coming out on top. Anthony and James Willcocks rounded the first mark in 3rd, and managed to hold on for a 5th place finish.

Fireball Open Meeting at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Race 4 saw DJ and Vyvo get off to a slow start, but then took the lead on lap 2 never to be challenged again. With Vince off to his mothers' 80th birthday party, the fight was left to Andy and Christian to settle the open. Andy held on to the lead over Christian, and eventually Christian conceded and went ashore to look at sail shapes.

First lady went to Christine Slater who sailed consistently and finished 9th overall.

Next up is the National Championships, and the Gul Fireball Worlds – both in Pwllheli through the last 2 weeks of August. 57 boats are entered for the nationals, and 102 for the worlds. If you're still undecided – you are running out of time to be part of the largest Fireball event for many years.

Overall Results: