Hampshire firefighters make waves at UK Sailing Challenge

The prestigious UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge, hosted by Hampshire and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services with the assistance of Sunsail UK, Port Solent, successfully ran from 2nd - 4th May 2006 in the challenging sailing waters of the Solent.

Now in its 3rd year, the challenge was open to 37 foot one-design yachts crewed by Fire and Rescue Service personnel from all over the UK. For the first time, colleagues from the country’s Ambulance and Police services also took part, to heighten the competitive edge to the contest and to recognise the unique relationship that the three services have.

An 08:00 hours briefing at Port Solent, Portsmouth, with no teams late or missing was to set the flavour of the event. Some teams looked a little worse for wear having travelled down the day before to enjoy the intoxicating delights of the many bars in the area, but spirits and expectations were high. Old friends and competitors greeted each other and enjoyed the special banter of the emergency services and the atmosphere was perfect for a great three days; all that was needed was a good wind and preferably fine weather!

To provide a different view and a new challenge for many, the first race was set as a passage race clockwise round the south side of the Isle of Wight to finish off Lymington in the Western Solent. The fleet was split right from the start with some favouring the traditional starboard tack and others going for the port tack to take more advantage of the tide. The other split was the one put in the side of the committee boat by one competitor at the starting sequence, who managed to ‘T’ bone them whilst trying to shake a reef out of the main!

The wind was favourable and brisk, being about a force four, and slightly south of east. Positions had already started to shake down by the first mark, No Man’s Land Fort to starboard. By the time the fleet reached St. Catherine’s Point, there was a distinct split between the front six or seven boats and the remaining twelve; spinnakers went up but it was at this stage that the wind decided to desert the fleet and teams were all making headway by tidal flow alone - all very frustrating and several found the sea swell just a bit too much to bear.

You could almost hear the cheer that went up as the wind started to fill in past Sandown Bay but it continued to fill and by the time boats were approaching Bridge Buoy off the Needles, many were feeling anxious about the necessary gybe to get up the Needles channel. The first three, very experienced crews, broached at the gybe mark, however all boats got safely to the finish and into Lymington, with just a couple needing some assistance due to engine problems.

A well-received barbecue had been organised for the weary crews and the local bars did a very brisk trade, with tales of individual battles and daring do heard throughout the evening and getting more outrageous as the night wore on.

Day two started with an 08:30 briefing with some more bleary faces and more wind than forecast. Two boats managed to go aground as they left the yacht haven for a brief period, but got themselves off before the start. The first race again saw the fleet split to different tacks to try and beat across the tide in the Western Solent to get to the Yarmouth side where the first mark was, or where it should have been! Having been fighting the tide for nearly an hour and a decreasing wind, it was found that the buoy had been lifted and the race was abandoned. The Race Officer then moved the fleet further east until he found an area with some wind and some excellent close racing took place.

Three, back to back, races around the cans took place and the leading positions were shared between five boats. Spinnakers were being flown by most boats on the downwind legs and some very close sailing took place, with some choice words being exchanged as the gybe mark was approached. That night saw the fleet based at Cowes Yacht Haven with most crews finding their way to the Anchor Inn, being the closest bar!

Day three should have been a very dull day with a promise of light variable winds but again the weather Gods were kind and for the most part the fleet enjoyed a good force four. The fleet managed three races around the cans, working its way down towards Portsmouth. The Eastern Solent provided the additional excitement of large shipping movement and a large container ship did at one time split the fleet, but it was nice to see that common sense prevailed and skippers kept well clear.

The final race was shortened as the wind did finally reduce and a very frustrating 20 minutes or so was spent with no wind at all in the area of Bob Kemp Buoy that the majority of crews got to know very well. Shortly afterwards, the wind did fill in and there was a nice fast reach across to Royal Albert Buoy, off Gillkicker Point, to finish the final race of the three-day event.

The overall winner of this year’s UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge was Adrian Murphy, Group Manager South West of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. This year also saw the first ever presentation of the Ian Thresh Memorial Trophy, in honour of well-respected past competitor and Hampshire firefighter Ian Thresh, who sadly was killed on his way to work last year. The Memorial Trophy was presented to the first Hampshire boat, which was Mick Stead in Hampshire 1 who came fourth overall in the Challenge.

This year’s fleet numbered 19 boats, almost double the previous two events, and it is hoped that all crews will want to return next year when teams from Europe and the USA will also be invited to compete as guests boats - in addition to members of the other emergency services in the UK.

The Fire Services National Benevolent Fund (FSNBF) and the Sail 4 Cancer charity were both well supported by crews throughout the event and Sunsail UK, Port Solent, also made a generous donation of £1000. The FSNBF provides assistance to serving and retired personnel, their widow/ers and young dependants through the provision of sheltered accommodation, recuperative facilities, rehabilitation and therapy, in addition to financial support for those who need it.

With the welcome support of Critchley Management Solutions Ltd, the UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge is starting to achieve new dimensions as a significant event in the Fire Services’ sporting calendar. It is hoped that the event’s high level of exposure will attract additional sponsors to assist with the venture and to provide a unique opportunity to deliver fire safety marketing.